Current Affairs –June 2020

Current Affairs ─ June 2020 This is a guide to provide you a precise summary and a huge collection of Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) covering national and international current affairs for the month of June 2020.

This guide will help you in preparing for Indian competitive examinations like Bank PO, Banking, Railway, IAS, PCS, UPSC, CAT, GATE, CDS, NDA, MCA, MBA, Engineering, IBPS, Clerical Gradeand Officer Grade, etc.

Audience

Aspirants who are preparing for different competitive exams like Bank PO, Banking, Railway, IAS, PCS, UPSC, CAT, GATE, CDS, NDA, MCA, MBA, Engineering, IBPS, Clerical Grade, Officer Grade, etc.

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Current Affairs –June 2020

Table of Contents

Current Affairs ─ June 2020 ...... i

Audience...... i

Table of Contents...... ii

APPOINTMENTS ...... 1

AWARDS ...... 9

BILLS AND ACTS...... 13

BOOKS & AUTHORS ...... 15

COMMITTEES ...... 17

DEATHS ...... 20

DEFENCE ...... 26

ECONOMIC ...... 29

ENVIRONMENT ...... 37

FINANCE...... 40

IMPORTANT DAYS ...... 46

INTERNATIONAL ...... 55

MISCELLANEOUS ...... 68

NATIONAL ...... 71

PERSONS IN NEWS ...... 94

Current Affairs –June 2020

PLACES IN NEWS ...... 99

REGIONAL ...... 102

REPORTS ...... 119

RESIGNATIONS & RETIREMENTS ...... 124

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY ...... 126

SPORTS ...... 133

iii

Appointments Current Affairs –June 2020

1. Raveesh Kumar appointed as the next Ambassador of India to Finland Former spokesperson of the External Affairs Ministry Raveesh Kumar has been appointed as India's next Ambassador to Finland. He is a 1995-batch Indian Foreign Service officer. Kumar served as the spokesperson of the MEA from July 2017 to April 2020.

In Finland, Kumar succeeds Vani Rao. In the past, he has looked after the East Asia desk in the headquarters of the MEA in Delhi and served as Deputy Chief of Mission in Jakarta followed by his posting as Consul General in Frankfurt.

2. Gaitri I. Kumar appointed as the next High Commissioner of India to the United Kingdom Seasoned diplomat Gaitri I Kumar has been appointed as India's next High Commissioner to the United Kingdom. She succeeds Ruchi Ghanashyam. Prior to this appointment, the 1986-batch Indian Foreign Service Officer was serving as Indian Ambassador to Belgium, Luxembourg and the European Union.

Ms Kumar served in multiple Indian missions including in Paris, Kathmandu, Lisbon and Geneva. She also served as Joint Secretary in the Americas division at the ministry's headquarters in Delhi.

3. Arun Singhal appointed as Chief Executive Officer of FSSAI The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the appointment of Arun Singhal as the new Chief Executive Officer of Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). He will replace GSG Ayyangar.

Prior to this appointment, Singhal was serving as Special Secretary, Department of Health and Family Welfare. FSSAI is India’s apex food regulator and is responsible for setting up standards for the food industry and regulate the manufacturing, storage, distribution, sale, and import of foods.

Current Affairs –June 2020

4. PR Jaishankar appointed as Managing Director of IIFCL The Banks Board Bureau has appointed PR Jaishankar as the Managing Director of India Infrastructure Finance Company (IIFCL). He is the Executive Director at National Housing Bank. The position at IIFCL was lying vacant since June 13, 2017.

Banks Board Bureau is a body of eminent professionals and officials to make recommendations for appointment of whole- time directors as well as non-executive chairpersons of public sector banks (PSBs) and state-owned financial institutions.

5. Pradip Kumar Tripathi assumed charge as Secretary in Ministry of Steel Mr Pradip Kumar Tripathi has taken over as Secretary, Ministry of Steel. He succeeds Binoy Kumar. Mr Tripathi is an IAS officer of 1987 batch of Jammu and Kashmir cadre.

Prior to this appointment, Mr Tripathi had been posted as Special Secretary and Establishment Officer in Department of Personnel and Training. The appointment of Mr Tripathi was approved by the Appointment Committee of Cabinet. The Ministry of Steel is responsible for formulating all policies regarding steel production, distribution and pricing in India.

6. Sushil Kumar Singhal appointed as High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea Sushil Kumar Singhal has been appointed as the next High Commissioner of India to the Independent State of Papua New Guinea. He is presently serving as the Joint Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs. He will replace Vijay Kumar.

Sushil Kumar Singhal had earlier served as Ambassador to Angola, Deputy High Commissioner to Kenya and he was also DPR to UNEP and UN Habitat in Nairobi. He had also served in Indian Missions in Tanzania, Belgium, Bangladesh, Hungary in different capacities.

Current Affairs –June 2020

7. Mr. Sibi George appointed as Ambassador of India to Kuwait Sibi George, an Indian Foreign Service officer of 1993 batch, has been appointed India's next Ambassador to Kuwait. He is at present India's Ambassador in Switzerland. He will replace K. Jeeva Sagar.

Sibi George was first appointed as Political Officer in Egypt. He has worked in Indian Missions at Doha, Islamabad, Washington DC, Tehran and Riyadh in various capacities. The Ministry of External Affairs awarded him the SK Singh Award for Excellence in Foreign Service in 2014.

8. Rahul Shrivastava appointed as next Ambassador of India to Romania The government has appointed Rahul Shrivastava as the new Ambassador of India to Romania. He is presently serving as Joint Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs. He will replace Mr. Thanglura Darlong.

The 1999-batch Indian Foreign Service (IFS) Officer was the Ambassador to Venezuela from 2016-18. In the past, he has also served in Russia, the UK and Kazakhstan. Several Indian firms such as Ranbaxy, Gujarat Heavy Chemicals (GHCL), WIPRO, Genpact and Raymonds have a presence in Romania.

9. VN Datt took over as Chairman and MD of National Fertilizers Limited Virendra Nath Datt has taken over as Chairman & Managing Director (CMD) of National Fertilizers Limited (NFL). Currently, he is Director (Marketing) since October 2018. Prior to the appointment, he served as the Executive Director (ED) in GAIL Limited.

Datt has a professional experience of over 35 years with premier Central Public Sector Enterprises -CPSEs such as GAIL and ONGC besides the Fertilizer Industry. He was with ONGC before joining GAIL in 1995.

Current Affairs –June 2020

10. Krishnendu Majumdar appointed as Chairperson of BAFTA The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) has appointed Krishnendu Majumdar as the Chairperson, making him the first person of colour to hold the prestigious role. The Emmy-winning and Bafta-nominated television producer and director will succeed Pippa Harris.

Majumdar also became the youngest person to hold the role in 35 years. He has been deputy chair for one year. Majumdar has been closely working with BAFTA for 14 years now.

11. Twitter appointed ex-Google CFO as new board Chairman Twitter has appointed former Google Chief Financial Officer Patrick Pichette as the company’s new Chairman of the Board. Pichette has joined Twitter’s board of directors in 2017. He had earlier served as Google’s CFO from 2008 until 2015.

Pichette will take over from Omid Kordestani. Kordestani will remain on Twitter’s board. kordestani had served as Twitter’s board chairman since October 2015. Pichette also is on the board of the Trudeau Foundation.

12. Uday Kotak took over as CII President Veteran banker Uday Kotak has assumed office as the President of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) for 2020-21. He is Managing Director and CEO of Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited. Mr Kotak took over from Vikram Kirloskar.

T V Narendran, CEO and Managing Director of Tata Steel Limited, is now the President Designate of CII for 2020-21. Chairman and Managing Director of Bajaj Finserv Limited, Sanjiv Bajaj, took over as CII Vice President for 2020-21.

Current Affairs –June 2020

13. Brajendra Navnit appointed as India's new ambassador to WTO The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has appointed senior IAS Officer, Brajendra Navnit, as India’s new ambassador to the World Trade Organization (WTO). He will be posted at the Permanent Mission of India (PMI) to the WTO in Geneva. He will replace JS Deepak at the PMI.

Navnit is a 1999-batch officer of the Tamil Nadu cadre. Prior to this appointment, he was serving as Joint Secretary in the PMO. Anwar Hussain Shaik has been appointed Counsellor, Permanent Mission of India to the WTO.

14. Rajeev Topno appointed as Senior Advisor at World Bank The government has cleared appointment of senior IAS officers Rajiv Topno as Senior Advisor to the Executive Director (ED) at World Bank. He is a 1996-batch bureaucrat of the Gujarat cadre and currently serving as private secretary to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Similary, Senior IAS officer Ravi Kota has been appointed as Minister (Economic) at the Indian embassy in Washington. Lekhan Thakkar, a Central Secretariat Service (CSS) officer, has been appointed Counsellor (Economic) at the Indian Embassy in Beijing, China. H Atheli, a 2000 batch officer of the Indian Civil Accounts Service (ICAS), will be Advisor (Director level) to ED, Asian Development Bank, Manila, Philippines.

15. Monika Mohta appointed India’s next Ambassador to Switzerland Monika Kapil Mohta, presently Ambassador of India to Sweden was appointed as the next Ambassador of India to Switzerland. She replaced Sibi George. Prior to this appointment, she has served as Ambassador of India to Poland and Lithuania, in the Permanent Delegation of India to UNESCO and as Director of The Nehru Centre and Minister (Culture) at the High Commission of India to the United Kingdom.

Monika Mohta has handled various positions including Additional Secretary, Director (Pakistan), Director (Gulf), Director (External Publicity) and Deputy Spokesperson, Director (United Nations).

Current Affairs –June 2020

16. Vice Admiral Biswajit Dasgupta assumed charge as Chief of Staff, Eastern Naval Command Vice Admiral Biswajit Dasgupta assumed charge as the Chief of Staff, Eastern Naval Command, Visakhapatnam. He replaced Vice Admiral S N Ghormade who has been transferred as Controller Personnel Services at the Integrated Headquarters, Ministry of Defence (Navy), New Delhi.

Mr Dasgupta is an alumnus of National Defence Academy and was commissioned into the Indian Navy in 1985. He is a recipient of the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and Vishisht Seva Medal for distinguished service. He was also awarded the Yudh Seva Medal for coordinating evacuation operations from strife-torn Yemen in 2015 under Operation Raahat.

17. Anil Valluri appointed as senior director for Google Cloud India Google Cloud appointed Anil Valluri as Senior Director for Google Cloud in India. Prior to this appointment, he served as president of India and SAARC operations in NetApp. He has handled various responsibilities in sales and marketing in the hi-tech industry. He has worked as Vice President and MD for Sun Microsystems in India.

Google Cloud Platform, offered by Google, is a suite of cloud computing services. Valluri has headed several technology transitions in India for customers across banking, telecommunications, public sector and manufacturing.

18. Shambhu S Kumaran appointed India's next envoy to Philippines 1995-batch Indian Foreign Service Officer, Shambhu S Kumaran has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the Philippines. Kumaran is presently Ambassador of India to the Kingdom of Morocco.

Kumaran's diplomatic assignments abroad include postings in Frankfurt and Berlin (1997-2002), as Political Counsellor in Kathmandu (2007-2009) and as Deputy High Commissioner to South Africa (2009-2012). He has also served as Joint Secretary (Planning and International Cooperation) in the Ministry of Defence while on deputation.

Current Affairs –June 2020

19. KK Venugopal to continue as Attorney General of India for 1 more year Attorney General of India, KK Venugopal, has got a 1-year extension of service. His tenure is due to end on June 30. He took over as Attorney General on July 1, 2017 and succeeded Mukul Rohatgi. He is the 15th person to serve as Attorney General for India.

Attorney General is the central government’s top law officer and chief legal advisor. AG represents the Government of India in crucial cases before the Supreme Court.

20. UTI MF appoints Imtaiyazur Rahman as full-time CEO The Board of UTI Mutual Fund has appointed Imtaiyazur Rahman as the Chief Executive Officer. He had been serving as the acting CEO of the company since Aug 2018. Rahman joined the UTI Group in 1998 and is with UTI since 2003.

Rahman was involved in the transformation of the organisation after restructuring of the erstwhile Unit Trust of India while working with earlier Chairmen M Damodaran and UK Sinha.

21. Urjit Patel appointed as Chairman of NIPFP Former Reserve Bank of India (RBI) governor Urjit Patel was appointed as Chairman of the National Institute of Public Finance and Policy (NIPFP) for a period of four years. Mr Patel replaced outgoing Chairman Dr. Vijay Laxman Kelkar.

NIPFP is an autonomous research institute under India's Ministry of Finance and is based in New Delhi. It conducts research on public finance and contributes to the process of policy-making relating to public finance. Rathin Roy is the present Director of the institute.

Current Affairs –June 2020

22. Nirakar Pradhan joined as Chief of PRMIA The Professional Risk Managers’ International Association has appointed Dr Nirakar Pradhan as the Chief Executive Officer of its new India office. Pradhan has led teams at State Bank of India and Generali Group in India and Europe.

PRMIA is a non-profit led by top professionals dedicated to promoting best practices in risk management. Its focus on training and certification has been recognised by the Government, Reserve Bank of India, State Bank of India, Punjab National Bank and HSBC, among others.

23. T. Rabi Sankar appointed as new Chairman of IFTAS IFTAS, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Reserve Bank of India, appointed T Rabi Sankar as the Chairman and Dr. N Rajendran as the CEO of the organization. T Rabi Sankar is currently serving as Executive Director, Reserve Bank of India for Payment systems, Information Technology, Risk Management and Fintech.

Dr. N Rajendran is a leading expert in the field of Payments & Banking Systems. He has operationalized National Financial Switch (NFS) and Cheque Truncation System (CTS), Immediate Payment Service (IMPS), National Automated Clearing House (NACH), Aadhar Enabled Payment System (AEPS), etc.

Awards Current Affairs –June 2020

1. Major Suman Gawani wins Military Gender Advocate award from UN Major Suman Gawani of theIndian Army, who served as a women peacekeeper with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan in 2019, has been awarded with the prestigious - United Nations Military Gender Advocate of the year Award. She received this award along with a Brazilian Naval Officer Commander Carla Monteiro de Castro Araujo.

Major Suman served as a Military observer in United Nations Mission in South Sudan, UNMISS from November 2018 to December 2019. She encouraged participation in joint military patrols to maintain gender balance, irrespective of the hardships under extreme field conditions.

2. South African scientist Quarraisha Abdool Karim won Christophe Merieux Prize Quarraisha Abdool Karim, the Associate Scientific Director of the Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), was awarded with the prestigious Christophe Mérieux Prize for 2020. The Institut de France, which runs the prize, praised her work tracing "the cycle of transmission" of the virus, with "young women generally getting it from men 10 years their senior".

Abdool Karim is best known for a study that found that a gel of the anti-retroviral drug tenofovir was effective in reducing the risk of women catching HIV and genital herpes during sex.

3. Socio Economic and Educational Development Society of Patna won World No Tobacco Day 2020 award Every year, WHO recognizes individuals or organizations in each of the six WHO Regions for their accomplishments in the area of tobacco control. This recognition takes the form of WHO Director-General Special Recognition Award and World No Tobacco Day Awards. Socio Economic and Educational Development Society of Patna, Bihar was one of the awardees in South-East Asia Region.

The WHO Director-General Special award was given to Dr Mom Kong, Executive Director, Cambodia Movement for Health, Cambodia.

Current Affairs –June 2020

4. Javed Akhtar became first Indian to receive Richard Dawkins Award Poet, lyricist and writer Javed Akhtar became the first Indian ever to receive the Richard Dawkins Award. Dawkins award honors a distinguished individual every year from the field of science, scholarship, education, or entertainment for upholding scientific truth, critical thinking, advancing human progress and humanist values.

Richard Dawkins is an English ethologist, evolutionary biologist, and author. Previous recipients include American TV host Bill Maher and English-American writer Christopher Hitchens.

5. Indian-American soil scientist Rattan Lal named for 2020 World Food Prize Eminent Indian-American soil scientist Rattan Lal has been named as recipient of the World Food Prize 2020. He was awarded for developing and mainstreaming a soil-centric approach to increasing food production that conserves natural resources and mitigates climate change.

Lal, a native of India and a citizen of the United States, serves as Distinguished University Professor of Soil Science and founding Director of the Carbon Management & Sequestration Center at The Ohio State University (OSU).

6. Renjith Kumar awarded “NASA Distinguished Public Service Medal” Indian Aerospace entrepreneur, Renjith Kumar was honoured with “NASA Distinguished Service Medal” for his administration to NASA. He worked for NASA for over 30 years and contributed to updating the International Space Stations (ISS). Presently, he is CEO Emeritus of the Virginia based Analytical Mechanics Associates (AMA).

The NASA Distinguished Public Service Medal is an award similar to the NASA Distinguished Service Medal, but awarded to non- government personnel. This is the highest honor NASA awards to anyone who was not a government employee when the service was performed.

Current Affairs –June 2020

7. Chef Angad Singh Rana won Quality NZ Culinary Cup 2020 Chef Angad Singh Rana won the New Zealand’s first ‘Virtual’ Chef competition – the ‘Quality NZ Culinary Cup SEAFOOD CHALLENGE’ held in India. Chef Vaibhav Bhargava won the QualityNZ Culinary Cup MUTTON/LAMB CHALLENGE.

The panel of judges included the heads of the Culinary Association, Chef Davinder Kumar, Chef Salil Fadnis, Chef Jugesh Arora and former cricketer Stephen Fleming. The QualityNZ Culinary Cup 2020 is supported by the South India Chef’s Association, the Indian Culinary Forum and the Western India Culinary Association.

8. Hyderabad’s Deccan Development Society won Monaco Foundation Award Hyderabad-based Deccan Development Society has won the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation Award, one of the most coveted environmental awards in the world for the year 2020. The award of 40,000 Euros has been given to the society “in recognition of the work of DDS women to rehabilitate degraded lands and promote biodiversity”.

The prestigious award is given to organisations with a “deep commitment to preserving the planet”. The award was announced by Olivier Wenden, Vice-President and Chief Executive Officer of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation.

9. Amartya Sen to be awarded the 2020 Peace Prize of the German Book Trade Nobel prize-winning economist and philosopher Amartya Sen has won the prestigious Peace Prize of the German Book Trade 2020. He was granted the peace prize for addressing questions around social inequality in education and healthcare. The award carries a cash prize of €25,000 euros ($28,000).

The Peace Prize of the German Book Trade has been awarded annually since 1950. Its aim is to honor individuals "who have made an outstanding contribution to the realization of the idea of peace primarily through his activities in the fields of literature, science and art."

Current Affairs –June 2020

10. Folk artist Gulabbai Sangamnerkar to get lifetime honour The Maharashtra government announced to honour folk artist Gulabbai Sangamnerkar with the Vithabai Narayangaokar lifetime achievement award. The Sangeetacharya Annasaheb Kirloskar musical theatre lifetime achievement award will be conferred upon veteran theatre actress-singer Madhuvanti Dandekar.

Sangamnerkar will receive a cash prize of Rs 5 lakh, a citation and a memento. She has been performing since the age of nine. Dandekar will also receive a cash prize of Rs 5 lakh, a citation and a memento. Her career in theatre spans more than five decades.

Bills and Acts Current Affairs –June 2020

1. Union Cabinet approved amendment to Essential Commodities Act The Union Cabinet approved amendments to the Essential Commodities Act. With the amendment to Essential Commodities Act, commodities like cereals, pulses, oilseeds, edible oils, onion and potatoes will be removed from list of essential commodities. This will remove fears of private investors of excessive regulatory interference in their business operations.

The freedom to produce, hold, move, distribute and supply will lead to harnessing of economies of scale and attract private sector/foreign direct investment into agriculture sector. It will help drive up investment in cold storages and modernization of food supply chain.

2. Cabinet approved 'The Farming Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Ordinance, 2020' The Union Cabinet has approved the "Farming Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Ordinance, 2020". Currently, there are restrictions for farmers in selling agri-produce outside the notified APMC market yards. The Ordinance will create an ecosystem where the farmers and traders will enjoy freedom of choice of sale and purchase of agri-produce.

The ordinance basically aims at creating additional trading opportunities outside the APMC market yards to help farmers get remunerative prices due to additional competition. It will pave the way for creating One India, One Agriculture Market.

3. Cabinet approved ‘The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Ordinance, 2020’ The Union cabinet approved the "Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Ordinance, 2020". Indian Agriculture has certain weaknesses such as weather dependence, production uncertainties and market unpredictability. The ordinance will transfer the risk of market unpredictability from the farmer to the sponsor.

The ordinance will empower farmers for engaging with processors, wholesalers, aggregators, large retailers, exporters, etc., on a level playing field without any fear of

Current Affairs –June 2020

exploitation. It will act as a catalyst to attract private sector investment for building supply chains for supply of Indian farm produce to global markets.

4. Government promulgates ordinance to amend Insolvency & Bankruptcy Code The government promulgated an ordinance to amend the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) wherein fresh insolvency proceedings will not be initiated for defaults on account of the coronavirus pandemic. Sections 7, 9 & 10 of the IBC 2016 are suspended with respect to defaults arising on or after 25th March for a period of six months, extendable up to a maximum of one year.

Under the IBC, an entity can seek insolvency proceedings against a company even if the default is only one day. This is subject to the minimum threshold of Rs 1 crore.

5. President Kovind promulgated Banking Regulation (Amendment) Ordinance 2020 President Ram Nath Kovind has promulgated the Banking Regulation (Amendment) Ordinance, 2020. It will allow RBI to supervise all co-operative banks. The ordinance will bring government banks, including 1,482 urban cooperative banks and 58 multi-state cooperative banks, under supervisory powers of RBI.

The Ordinance also amends Section 45 of the Banking Regulation Act to enable making of a scheme of reconstruction or amalgamation of a banking company. It will help protect the banking system and secure proper management, even without making an order of moratorium, so as to avoid disruption of the financial system.

6. Electricity (Amendment) Bill 2020 to be tabled in Parliament Union Minster for Power, R K Singh, informed that the Electricity (Amendment) Bill 2020 will be introduced in the coming session of Parliament. The Bill aims to bring in refoms to make the sector consumer centric and make it more transparent.

The Electricity (Amendment) Bill 2020 will follow broad objectives like ensuring consumer centricity, promoting Ease of Doing Business, enhancing sustainability of the power sector; and promoting green power.

Books & Authors Current Affairs –June 2020

1. I&B Ministry released e-booklet as Modi Govt 2.0 completes one year in office The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) has released an e-booklet ‘One Year of Modi 2.0 – Towards A Self-Reliant India’. The booklet highlights the key achievements of the Modi government during the first year of the second term.

Abrogation of Article 370, settlement of the Ram Temple issue, criminalisation of triple talaq, Bodo accord and the amendment to the Citizenship Act have been listed in the booklet as key achievements of the government. It also highlights the government’s decisions for the welfare of farmers.

2. Indian writer Kritika Pandey won the regional award for Asia in Commonwealth Short Story Prize Indian writer Kritika Pandey won the regional award for Asia in 2020 of the Commonwealth Short Story Prize for the best unpublished short fiction. She won the coveted honour for The Great Indian Tee and Snakes. It talks about love in an age of hatred and prejudice.

Pandey had been previously nominated for the Pushcart Prize. The other winners of the award are Innocent Chizaram Ilo (Africa), Reyah Martin (Canada and Europe), Brian S Heap (Caribbean) and Andrea E Macleod (Pacific).

3. HRD Ministry launched “Safe online learning in the times of COVID- 19” Human Resource Development Minister, Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank launched the information booklet titled 'Safe online learning in the times of COVID-19' to raise awareness in students and teachers. NCERT and UNESCO have jointly developed this booklet which will facilitate in raising awareness of students and teachers as well as ensure timely action in cases of cyber bullying. This information booklet highlights the negative consequences of cyber bullying and ways to eliminate it.

Current Affairs –June 2020

In India, an estimated 71 million children aged between 5-11 years access the Internet on devices of their family members, constituting about 14% of the country's active Internet user base.

4. Amish Tripathi launched new book ''Legend of Suheldev'' Amish Tripathi launched new fiction book - ''Legend of Suheldev: The King Who Saved India''. The book will be published by Westland Publications. The story of the book is Westland Publications. The book begins with Mahmud of Ghazni’s invasion and the massacre of the holy Somnath Temple.

The book further traces the epic adventure and inspiring legend of the warrior-hero King Suheldev, as he unites Indians across religions, castes, and regions, under his leadership, and mounts a fierce resistance against the foreign invaders.

Committees Current Affairs –June 2020

1. Assam Advisory Committee to revive economy submitted its report The 8 member consultation committee set up by Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal to revive the state economy, has submitted its report to Chief Minister. The committee was headed by retired IAS officer Subhash Das.

The Committee has recommended both short and long term measures to revive the economy of Assam affected by the Covid 19 pandemic. The eight-member committee included prominent economists and experts of the state.

2. Bimal Julka Committee submitted report An Expert Committees on Rationalisation of Film Media Units and Review of Autonomous Bodies submitted its report to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. The Committee was chaired by Bimal Julka. The recommendations of the committee are: a. It has suggested an umbrella configuration with four broad verticals under which institutes should work viz. Production, Festival, Heritage and Knowledge. b. These verticals would be headed by professionals. c. It recommends creation of Film Promotion Fund to aid independent filmmakers for making commercial films.

3. Center constituted task force on MMR and nutrition The Government of India formed a Task Force to examine matters pertaining to age of motherhood, imperatives of lowering MMR, improvement of nutritional levels and related issues. It will be headed by Jaya Jaitly.

Features -To suggest measures for promoting higher education among women. -To suggest suitable legislative instruments and work out a detailed roll-out plan. -To examine the correlation of age of marriage and motherhood with (a) health, medical well-being and nutritional status of mother and infant. -The Task Force will be provided secretarial assistance by the NITI Aayog.

Current Affairs –June 2020

4. Delhi LG constitutes expert committee Corona management Delhi Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal has constituted an Expert Advisory Committee to advise Delhi Disaster Management Authority, DDMA on various aspects of COVID-19 management in Delhi. The committee will give advice on the challenges being faced in Delhi and suggest measures to ramp up medical infrastructure.

The committee comprises of Director General of Indian Council of Medical Research Dr. Balram Bhargava, Director of AIIMS, Delhi Dr. Randeep Guleria and Director, NCDC Dr. Sujit Kumar Singh.

5. Government constituted Empowered Group of Secretaries to facilitate investment in country The Union Government has constituted an Empowered Group of Secretaries headed by Cabinet Secretary to facilitate investment in the country. The empowered group will assist investment in key sectors of the economy by identifying potential investors. It will also recommend sector-specific and geography specific incentive packages focusing on both domestic and foreign investors.

The seven member empowered group has CEO of NITI Aayog along with secretaries of Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Commerce, Revenue and Economic Affairs as it's members.

6. Ministry of Home Affairs reconstituted a new committee for the welfare of freedom fighters MHA reconstituted a new committee for the welfare of freedom fighters. The committee will be headed by Home Affairs minister of state G Kishan Reddy. The committee includes nine other “eminent freedom fighters” from across the country as its members.

Roles of committee are: -To verify if one person has given affidavits to two or more applicants. -To examine the demands to build memorials and museums for freedom fighters. -To look into the welfare and grievances of freedom fighters and their families.

Current Affairs –June 2020

7. Advisory Panel on Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) reconstituted The insolvency regulator IBBI reconstituted the Advisory Committee on Corporate Insolvency Resolution and Liquidation process. The committee consisting of 13 members would be headed by Uday Kotak, Executive Vice Chairman and Managing Director, Kotak Mahindra Bank.

The Advisory Committee would be responsible to advise and provide professional support on a request from the IBBI or on its own volition or on any matter relating to the Corporate Insolvency resolution and liquidation dealt with by the Board under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code 2016.

8. Niti Aayog formed panel to develop job platform for migrant labourers NITI (National Institution for Transforming India) Aayog has formed a high-powered committee to develop a job platform. The panel is headed by NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant and includes top executives of technology companies like Google, Microsoft and Tech Mahindra as members.

The job platfrom will help migrant labours & blue-collar workers, who have lost their jobs during the lockdown, to find better employment opportunities in their language and around their place.

Deaths Current Affairs –June 2020

1. Chhattisgarh's first CM Ajit Jogi passed away Chhattisgarh’s first Chief Minister Ajit Jogi passed away at the age of 74 years. He helmed the first Congress government from November 2000 to November 2003. He parted ways with the Congress in 2016 and went on to form the Janata Congress Chhattisgarh (J).

Prior to joining politics, Ajit Jogi was selected for the Indian Police Service (IPS) and the Indian Administrative Service (IAS). He served as a district collector of Indore in Madhya Pradesh between 1981 and 1985.

2. Former Olympic sprint champion Bobby Morrow passed away Olympic sprint legend, Bobby Morrow, passed away at the age of 84 years. The Aerican won three gold medals at the 1956 Olympic Games in Melbourne. Morrow won the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay in Melbourne, becoming the first man since fellow American Jesse Owens (1936) to do the sprint treble.

Carl Lewis (1984) and Usain Bolt (2012 and 2016) are the only other men to win the three sprint titles at the same Games. He was named Sports Illustrated's "Sportsman of the Year" in 1956 and set 11 ratified world records during his career.

3. Veteran filmmaker Basu Chatterjee passed away Veteran filmmaker Basu Chatterjee, known for his soulful cinema, passed away at the age of 93 years. Some of his best known works are "Us Paar", "Chitchor", "Rajnigandha", "Piya Ka Ghar", "Khatta Meetha", "Baton Baton Mein", “Swami”, “Apne Paraye” and “Shaukeen”.

In 1992, Basu Chatterjee won the National Film Award for best film on family welfare for Durga. Basu had a very close association with Doordarshan in which he directed its two iconic serials - Byomkesh Bakshi and Rajani.

Current Affairs –June 2020

4. Hall of Famer, Bullets icon Wes Unseld passed away Wes Unseld, the workmanlike Hall of Fame center who led Washington to its only NBA championship and was chosen one of the 50 greatest players in league history, passed away at the age 74 years. Unseld was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1988, his first year of eligibility.

Unseld was a five-time All-Star and, along with Wilt Chamberlain, one of only two players to win NBA Rookie of the Year and MVP honors in the same season. Unseld won a championship and a Finals MVP award in 1978.

5. Former India footballer Hamza Koya passed away Former Indian footballer Hamza Koya died of COVID-19 in Kerala. He was a former football player who had represented Maharashtra at the Santhosh Trophy from 1981 to 1986 and selected for Indian Soccer camp twice. He served as India team member in Nehru trophy. Hamza Koya played as a wing-back position.

In his two-decade-long sports career, Hamza Koya represented Calicut University during 1976-78, Western Railways, Union Bank, RCF,TATA Sports and Orkay mills from 1976 to 1996. He coached Orkay Silk Mills team for a short period.

6. Former world gymnastics champion Kurt Thomas passes away The first American male gymnast to win a world championship gold medal, Kurt Thomas passed away. He had won five world championship individual medals in 1979. He was a five-time NCAA champion at Indiana State University. He finished sixth in the all- around standings, based on his totals in the six individual events and his individual triumphs.

Thomas earned All-America honors 13 times in his career. He was the James E. Sullivan award winner in 1979, as well as the 1979 Nissen awardee. He featured in the 1985 film Gymkata, playing the role of an American gymnast.

Current Affairs –June 2020

7. Burundi’s Incumbent President Pierre Nkurunziza passed away The President of the Republic of Burundi, Pierre Nkurunziza passed away. He was known for his preaching and love of football. He received seven international awards for his peace-building efforts. He served as the ninth president of Burundi for almost 15 years from August 2005 until his death in June 2020. He was longest-serving president in the nation's history.

Burundi is a landlocked country in the Great Rift Valley where the African Great Lakes region and East Africa converge.

8. European Cup winner Tony Dunne passed away Manchester United's European Cup-winning defender Tony Dunne passed away. He had appeared in 535 matches for the Manchester United club. He had won the FA Cup in 1963 and the European Cup in 1968. He was part of Matt Busby's title-winning squads in 1965 and 1967. He was honored 33 times with ‘caps for the Republic of Ireland’ between 1962 and 1975, and was named Irish Footballer of the Year in 1969.

Tony served as an Assistant manager from 1979 to 1981 to Bolton and as Manager of Norwegian club Steinkjer FK in 1982–1983.

9. Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput passed away Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput passed away at the age of 34 years. The actor is known for his work in films like Chhichhore, MS Dhoni: The Untold Story and Detective Byomkesh Bakshy. He had forayed into acting with the lead role in the popular TV show "Pavitra Rishta".

Rajput had made his Bollywood debut with Abhishek Kapoor's "Kai Po Che" in 2013. He is known for his role as former Indian cricket team captain - Mahendra Singh Dhoni - in his biopic.

Current Affairs –June 2020

10. Former New Zealand cricketer Matt Poore passed away Former New Zealand Test cricketer Matt Poore passed away at the age of 90 years. He is remembered for catching a stray dog during a match in Bangalore in 1955 and subsequently taking 12 anti-rabies injection.

Poore played 14-Test matches between 1953 and 1956 alongside two greats Bert Sutcliffe and John Reid. He scored 355 runs at an average of 15.43 and his highest Test score was 45 against South Africa here in 1953.

11. Maha Vir Chakra awardee Lt Gen Raj Mohan Vohra passed away Maha Vir Chakra awardee Lt Col (retd) Raj Mohan Vohra passed away at the age 88 years. He was a 1971 war hero. He had received the coveted Maha Vir Chakra (MVC) award in 1972. He had commanded the elite Hodson's Horse in the Shakargarh Sector during the Indo-Pak War of 1971.

The Maha Vir Chakra (MVC) is the country's second highest gallantry award. It is awarded for acts of conspicuous gallantry in the presence of enemy whether on land, at sea or in the air.

12. Senior journalist, freedom fighter Dinu Randive passed away Senior journalist and freedom fighter from Maharashtra, Dinu Randive passed away at the age of 95 years. Mr. Randive played a key role in the struggle movement to carve out Maharashtra state called Samyukta Maharashtra movement. He also participated in the Goa liberation movement.

Mr. Randive started his journalistic career in 1956. He was conferred with the lifetime achievement award by the Mantralaya and Vidhimandal Vartahar Sangh, an association of journalists covering Maharashtra legislature and secretariat.

Current Affairs –June 2020

13. Veteran economist BPR Vithal Baru passed away Veteran economist and retired IAS officer BPR Vithal Baru passed away at the age of 93 years. He is regarded as a pioneer of reforms in public finance. He was a 1950 batch IAS officer.

Vithal Baru was Secretary, Finance and Planning, Government of Andhra Pradesh, from 1972 to 1982 and Deputy Chairman, State Planning Board and Member, Tenth Finance Commission. He was also Chairman, Expenditure Commission of Government of Kerala. He established the Centre for Economic and Social Studies, Hyderabad.

14. Social worker and activist Vidyaben Shah passed away Renowned Indian social worker and activist, Vidyaben Shah, passed away at the age of 98 years. She is known for her work with children, women and the elderly. She was honoured with the Padma Shri in 1992 and the National Award by Government of India in 1986, for outstanding services in the field of Child Welfare.

Vidyaben Shah established India’s first ever Bal Bhavan in Rajkot in the 1940s. She was the 1st non-official head of the New Delhi Municipal Council in the 1970s.

15. Domestic cricket stalwart Rajinder Goel passed away Former left-arm spin legend Rajinder Goel passed away at the age of 77 years. He holds the record for the highest Ranji Trophy wicket haul of 637 scalps. Goel finished with 750 first-class wickets.

Goel never managed to break into the Indian team. He received the CK Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017 from the BCCI for his service to Indian cricket. Rajinder Goel went on to serve as the chairman of BCCI's national junior selection committee and the chairman of the Haryana selection committee.

Current Affairs –June 2020

16. Former India shooter Pournima Zanane passed away Former India shooter Pournima Zanane passed away at the age of 42 years. Zanane had been suffering from cancer for the past two years. She was an International Shooting Sport Federation-licenced coach. Zanane had represented India at multiple ISSF World Cups, Asian Championships, Commonwealth Championships, among others.

Zanane was a national record holder in 10m air rifle event. She was honoured with the Shiv Chhatrapati Sports award by the Maharashtra government.

17. 'Batman' director Joel Schumacher passed away Hollywood film director, Joel Schumacher, passed away at the age of 80 years. He is credited for having directed films such as “St. Elmo’s Fire,” “The Lost Boys” and “Falling Down,” as well as two “Batman” films.

Camerimage, the International Film Festival of the Art of Cinematography, awarded Schumacher a special award in 2010. He also received the Distinguished Collaborator Award at the Costume Designers Guild Awards in 2011.

18. Vir Chakra awardee Sqn. Ldr. Parvez Jamasji passed away Squadron Leader Parvez Jamasji (retd), who was awarded the Vir Chakra for gallantry during the 1971 Indo-Pakistan war, passed away. He was commissioned in 1965 and retired in 1985. During Indo-Pakistan war, Flight Lieutenant Parvez Rustom Jamasji was serving with a helicopter unit where his helicopter was attacked twice by machine gun and twice by mortars.

Parvez was honored with Vir Chakra for bringing helicopter safely to a post within our territory when his helicopter had engine failure over enemy position, during 1971 Indo- Pakistan war.

Defence Current Affairs –June 2020

1. Missile Park 'Agneeprastha' to be set up at INS Kalinga The foundation stone for a Missile Park "AGNEEPRASTHA" was laid at INS Kalinga. The Missile Park ‘AGNEEPRASTHA’ commemorates the award of the prestigious Unit Citation to INS Kalinga for the year 2018-19.

‘AGNEEPRASTHA’ aims to capture glimpses of Missile History of INS Kalinga since 1981 till date. The Missile Park has been set up with a replica of missiles and Ground Support Equipment (GSE) that showcase the evolution of missiles handled by the unit.

2. DRDO developed “Ultra Swachh” for disinfection of PPEs, electronic items, fabrics Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) has developed a disinfection unit named “Ultra Swachh” to disinfect a wide range of materials, including Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs), electronics items, fabrics and others. Ultra Swachh is double-layered, with specialized Ozone sealant technology assuring trapping of Ozone for the necessary disinfection cycle

The device also has catalytic converter to ensure environment friendly exhaust. Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences, the Delhi-based laboratory of DRDO has developed this product with industry partner Gel Craft Health care Private Ltd.

3. DRDO developed SUMERU PACS DRDO has developed a device called” SUMERU-PACS” that helps wearers of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) comfortable without sweating. Prior to this, health care workers felt uncomfortable after wearing PPE for more than 30 to 45 minutes and start to sweating which makes the situation worse

SUMERU-PACS have personal air circulation system which can be used inside the PPE as a small backpack of approximately 500 grams weight which works well at an ambient temperature of 39 degrees Celsius. The device draws the outside air with the help of a filter and the moist air goes out from the front face opening.

Current Affairs –June 2020

4. 'Kesari' reached Seychelles under 'Mission Sagar' As part of Mission Sagar, Indian Naval Ship Kesari reached Port Victoria in Seychelles for handing over COVID related essential medicines. Under Mission Sagar, Indian government is providing assistance to friendly foreign countries in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mission SAGAR, resonates Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of Security and Growth for All in the region. The operation is being progressed in close coordination with the Ministry of External Affairs and other agencies of the Government.

5. IAF developed rescue pod “ARPIT” for evacuation Indian Air Force has indigenously designed, developed and manufactured an Airborne Rescue Pod for Isolated Transportation (ARPIT). The pod is meant for the evacuation of critical patients with infectious diseases including COVID-19 from high altitude area, isolated and remote places.

The system developed at a cost of Rs 60,000, has been formed as a lightweight isolation system made from aviation certified material. It generates high constant negative pressure in the isolation chamber for prevention of infection risk to air crew, ground crew and health care workers involved in air transportation.

6. GRSE delivered ICGS Kanaklata Barua to ICG Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd (GRSE) delivered ICGS Kanaklata Barua, the fifth and last boat in the series of Fast Patrol Vessels (FPV) for the Indian Coast Guard. GRSE, is one of India's leading shipyards that builds commercial and naval vessels.

GRSE had earlier made deliveries of FPVs ICGS Priyadarshini, ICGS Annie Besant and ICGS Amrit Kaur in this series to the Indian Coast Guard. ICGS KanaklataBarua is the 105th vessel conveyed by the Defense PSU shipyard dependent on the banks of stream Hooghly.

Current Affairs –June 2020

7. Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (DSRV) complex inaugurated in Vizag The Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (DSRV) Complex was inaugurated at Visakhapatnam by Vice Admiral Atul Kumar Jain. It has been designed to accommodate the newly inducted submarine rescue system and store the DSRV assets in the rescue- ready state. The Indian Navy has inducted two such systems which will provide rescue cover to submarines.

The DSRV system consists of a Submarine Rescue Vessel, a Remote Operations Vehicle, Side Scan Sonar and associated equipment. It also has Diver Decompression Chambers and hyperbaric medical equipment to decompress submariners after being rescued from a sunken submarine.

8. Indian Navy inducts indigenously developed Torpedo Decoy System Maareech The Indian Navy has inducted an advanced anti-torpedo decoy system called ‘Maareech’ that is capable of being fired from all frontline ships. Maareech Advanced Torpedo Defence System (ATDS) offers a complete solution to detect and locate an incoming torpedo and to apply countermeasures to protect naval platform against torpedo attack.

The design and development of the Maareech anti-torpedo decoy system was undertaken indigenously by the Naval Science & Technological Laboratory (NSTL) and the Naval Physical & Oceanographic Laboratory (NPOL) of DRDO. Bharat Electronics Limited, a defence PSU, would undertake the production of this decoy system.

Economic Current Affairs –June 2020

1. India's GDP growth slows to 11-year low of 4.2% in 2019-20 According to data released by the National Statistical Office (NSO), India's economic growth slipped to 3.1% in the January-March quarter while the GDP growth for 2019-20 slowed to an 11-year low of 4.2%. The Indian economy had grown at 6.1% growth rate in 2018-19.

The eight infrastructure sectors contracted by a record 38.1% in April. Trade, hotels and transport grew 2.6% in the January-March quarter from a year ago, while financial services expanded 2.4%.

2. Yes Bank acquiresd 24.19% stake in Dish TV Yes Bank Ltd acquired a 24.19% stake in direct-to-home service provider, Dish TV India Ltd. Yes Bank invoked the shares subsequent to default of loan by the company.

Yes Bank, after invocation of pledged shares, has acquired 44,53,48,990 equity shares of Dish TV India. Dish TV has a market capitalisation of Rs. 2,046 crore and a subscriber base of 23.94 million. The DTH market in the country is dominated by Dish TV (40%), followed by Tata Sky (25%) and Airtel TV (22%).

3. Moody’s downgraded India’s sovereign rating to ‘Baa3’ from ‘Baa2’ Moody's Investors Service has downgraded India's local-currency senior unsecured rating to Baa3 from Baa2 and its short-term local- currency rating to P-3 from P-2. It maintained the negative outlook. Moody's rating is in line with other agencies such as S&P and Fitch.

‘Baa3’ is the lowest investment grade - just a notch above junk status. Moody’s also revised its FY21 GDP estimate for India to 4% contraction against 0% growth projected earlier.

Current Affairs –June 2020

4. Centre released Rs. 36,400 Crore as GST Compensation to States The Central Government has released the GST Compensation of Rs. 36,400 Crore to the States/UTs with Legislature for the period from December, 2019 to February, 2020. For the April-November 2019 period, the Centre had already released Rs 1,15,096 crore to compensate states and UTs.

The government released the GST compensation considering the expenditure the state governments need to undertake while their resources are adversely hit due to Covid-19. Under the GST structure, taxes are levied under 5, 12, 18, and 28% slabs.

5. Fitch Ratings projects Indian economy to grow at 9.5% in next fiscal Fitch Ratings has forecast that the Indian economy will grow at 9.5% next fiscal. It has forecast a 5 percent contraction in the GDP in the ongoing financial year. Moody's Investors Service had downgraded India's sovereign rating to "Baa3" from "Baa2" and short-term local-currency rating to "P-3" from "P-2".

The government has announced stimulus measures amounting to 10% of GDP and the Reserve Bank of India has eased monetary policy by cutting policy rates and providing liquidity in order to support the economy.

6. S&P's retained India's sovereign rating at "BBB-" with stable outlook S&P has retained India's sovereign rating at "BBB-" with a stable outlook, citing that while risks to growth are rising, the economy and fiscal position will stabilise and begin to recover from 2021 onwards.

S&P said its stable outlook for India reflects expectation that the economy will recover after the containment of the covid-19 pandemic, and the country will maintain its sound net external position. S&P has projected the Indian economy to contract by 5% in FY21 before making a strong recovery to grow at 8.5% in FY22.

Current Affairs –June 2020

7. Fitch Ratings downgrades India outlook from ‘stable’ to ‘negative’ Fitch Ratings revised downward its rating outlook for India from stable to negative while retaining the sovereign rating at the lowest investment grade, citing increasing risk to the country’s growth and debt outlook.

Fitch expects general government debt to jump to 84.5% of GDP in FY21 from an estimated 71.0% of GDP in FY20. All three major rating agencies now have the lowest investment grade rating for India. Fitch and Moody’s have a negative outlook while S&P Global Ratings has a stable outlook.

8. Quick Estimates of Index of Industrial Production, April 2020 The Quick Estimates of Index of Industrial Production (IIP) with base 2011-12 for the month of April 2020 stands at 56.3. The Indices of Industrial Production for the Mining, Manufacturing and Electricity sectors for the month of April 2020 stand at 78.3, 45.1 and 126.1 respectively.

As per Use-based classification, the indices stand at 92.3 for Primary Goods, 7.7 for Capital Goods, 42.0 for Intermediate Goods and 21.7 for Infrastructure/ Construction Goods (Statement III) for the month of April 2020. Further, the indices for Consumer durables and Consumer non-durables stand at 5.5 and 89.4 respectively for the month of April 2020.

9. S&P Ratings projected Indian economy to shrink 5% in FY21 S&P Global Rating’s report titled “Financial Conditions Reflect Optimism, Lockdown Fatigue Emerges” predicted Indian economy to shrink by 5% in fiscal year 2020-21.

Highlights of report are: -India’s growth to rebound to 8.5% in the fiscal year 2021-22. -India’s growth to be 6.5% in the fiscal year 2022-23 and 6.5% in FY 2023-24. -Fiscal stimulus worth 1.2% of GDP is not sufficient to provide significant growth support. -The big hit to growth will mean a large, permanent economic loss and a deterioration in balance sheets throughout the economy.

Current Affairs –June 2020

10. IL&FS finished sale of 50% stake in GIFT city to Gujarat government Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services Limited (IL&FS) finished the sale of its 50% stake in Gujarat International Finance Tec- City (GIFT City) which were bought by the Gujarat Urban Development Company Ltd (GUDCL), on behalf of the Gujarat government, at an amount of Rs 32.71 crore. The stake has been reduced to lower down its debt by Rs 1,230 crore. The group's current outstanding debt is around Rs 94,000 crore.

Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services Limited is an Indian infrastructure development and finance company.

11. Jio Platforms raised 5683.50 crore rupees from ADIA Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) on Sunday announced 1.16 per cent stake sale in Jio Platforms, its digital services subsidiary, to Abu Dhabi Investment Authority for Rs 5,683.50 crore, as it accelerates its debt reduction plan. Jio Platforms are valued at an equity value of Rs 4.91 lakh crore and an enterprise value of Rs 5.16 lakh crore.

The stake sale has been done to make the firm RIL debt free by December 2020. RIL had a net debt of Rs 1.6 trillion as of March 2020. The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority is a sovereign wealth fund owned by the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

12. OECD predicted contraction of Indian Economy at 3.7% in FY21 Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development released its Economic Outlook and predicted Indian Economy to contract to 3.7% in the fiscal year 2020-21.

Highlights are: -The global economy is expected to shrink at 3.7%. -If there is a second COVID-19 outbreak in the country, then its growth will drop further to - 7.3%. -Domestic demand will suffer from the permanent loss of income in many enterprises. -OECD predicted a strong 5.2% rebound in FY 2021-22.

Current Affairs –June 2020

13. India's forex reserves rise to a life-time high of 507.64 US billion in the second week of June India's forex reserves rose to touch a life-time high of 507.64 US billion in the second week of June, helped by a significant jump in the foreign currency assets (FCA). The forex reserves had crossed the half-a-trillion mark for the first time in the week ended June 5.

The increase in foreign exchange reserves is due to higher capital inflows and also due to the narrowing current account deficit as trade activities have come to a standstill due to the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

14. INDIA’S FOREIGN TRADE: May 2020 India’s overall exports (Merchandise and Services combined) in April-May 2020-21 are estimated to be USD 61.57 billion, exhibiting a negative growth of -33.66% over the same period last year. Overall imports in April-May 2020-21 are estimated to be USD 57.19 billion, exhibiting a negative growth of - 48.31% over the same period last year.

MERCHANDISE: The trade deficit for May 2020 was estimated at USD3.15 billion as against the deficit of USD15.36 billion in May 2019. SERVICES: The trade balance in Services (i.e. Net Services export) for April 2020 is estimated at USD7.15 billion. OVERALL TRADE BALANCE: Taking merchandise and services together, overall trade surplus for April-May 2020-21 is estimated at USD4.37 billion as compared to the deficit of USD17.84 billion in April-May 2019-20.

15. Wholesale Price Inflation at -3.21% in May According to the Office of the Economic Adviser, annual rate of inflation, based on monthly WPI, stood at (-3.21%) (provisional) for the month of May, 2020 (over May, 2019) as compared to 2.79% during the corresponding month of the previous year. The official Wholesale Price Index for 'All Commodities' (Base: 2011-12=100) for the month of May, 2020 declined by (-2.24%) to 117.7 (provisional) from 120.4 (Final) for the month of March, 2020.

With regards to the final index for the month of March, WPI based rate of inflation stood at 0.42% as compared to its provisional levels of 1.00% reported on 14.04.2020. The

Current Affairs –June 2020

final Wholesale Price Index and inflation rate for 'All Commodities' (Base: 2011-12=100) stood at 120.4 as compared to provisional figure of 121.1 in March 2020.

16. CCI approved acquisition by MacRitchie Investments in 91Streets, Ascent and API The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved acquisition by MacRitchie Investments (MacRitchie) in 91Streets Media Technologies (91Streets), Ascent Health and Wellness Solutions (Ascent) and API Holdings (API) under Section 31(1) of the Competition Act 2002. MacRitchie Investments is an investment holding company, an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Temasek Holdings.

The 91Streets owns technology and intellectual property required to develop an e- commerce platform. Ascent is engaged in online as well as offline wholesale B2B sale and distribution of pharmaceutical, over the counter FMCG and nutraceutical products.

17. Fitch Ratings retained India’s sovereign rating at “BBB-“ Credit ratings agency Fitch revised its outlook and retained the India's sovereign rating at the lowest investment grade of BBB. The rating has been put from stable to negative. Fitch predicted India’s economic activity to contract by 5% in the fiscal year 2021 before rebounding by 9.5% in fiscal year 2022.

The rating has been downgraded due to Covid 19 impact. The impact may put government’s fiscal deficit to 11% of GDP in FY21. Fitch Ratings Inc. is an American credit rating agency and is one of the three nationally recognized statistical rating organizations by USA.

18. ADB predicted Indian economy to contract 4% in FY21 The Asian Development Bank predicted Indian economy to contract by 4% in Fiscal Year 2021 and bounce back in FY22 and grow at 5%. Due to Covid 19 pandemic, India’s GDP slowed to 3.1% in the March quarter of FY20, its slowest since early 2003.

ADB predicted food inflation to remain unchanged at 3.0% for FY21 but revised up marginally to 4.0% for FY22. The Asian Development Bank is a regional development bank to promote social and economic development in Asia.

Current Affairs –June 2020

19. RIL became first Indian Company to be valued at USD 150 Billion The Mukesh Ambani-helmed Reliance Industries (RIL) became India's first $150- billion company in terms of market capitalization. Mukesh Ambani's net worth surged to $60 bn. This is the highest ever valuation of an Indian company.

Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) is an Indian multinational conglomerate company, headquartered in Mumbai. Reliance Industries owns businesses across India engaged in energy, petrochemicals, textiles, natural resources, retail, and telecommunications. It is largest company in India as measured by revenue. It is ranked 106th on the Fortune Global 500 list.

20. CCI approved acquisition of 9.99% stake in Jio Platforms by Jaadhu Holdings LLC The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved acquisition of 9.99% stake in Jio Platforms by Jaadhu Holdings LLC. Jaadhu is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Facebook. It is a newly incorporated company formed in March 2020 under the laws of the State of Delaware in United States.

Facebook on 22nd April announced its plan to purchase a stake in Jio Platforms for $5.7 billion (Rs 43,574 crore). RIL has shed 24.7% stake in Jio Platforms and has raised Rs 115,693.95 crore from some of the world’s top technology investors.

21. India became 12th largest holder of US government securities at April end India has become the 12th largest holder of US government securities at the end of April, with holding worth 157.4 billion dollars. The data from the US Treasury Department showed that after significantly reducing the exposure in March to 156.5 billion dollars, India marginally hiked the holding by 0.9 billion dollars to 157.4 billion dollars in April.

At the end of April, Japan remained the country with the maximum exposure at 1.27 trillion dollars, followed by China at 1.1 trillion dollars and the UK at 368.5 billion dollars.

Current Affairs –June 2020

22. Moody’s projects India’s GDP to shrink 3.1% in 2020 Moody's Investors Service projected the Indian economy to shrink 3.1% in 2020. However, Moody's expects the economy to register 6.9% growth in 2021. In its June update to Global Macro Outlook (2020-21), Moody's revised down its 2020 growth forecast for India on account of coronavirus- related disruption in January-March and April- June quarters.

Moody's also believes the country's border standoffs with China hints for geopolitical tension. India and China are in an intense diplomatic and military standoff.

23. IMF predicts Indian economy to contract by 4.5% in FY21 International Monetary Fund (IMF), in its June 2020 World Economic Outlook (WEO) forecast, has predicted that Indian economy will contract 4.5% during financial year 2020- 21 on the back of extended coronavirus lockdown. IMF had projected the Indian economy to grow at 1.9% in its April forecast.

IMF also expects India to gow at 6% in FY22 as compared to its earlier forecast of 7.4%. The Previously, ADB had also scaled down India’s growth forecast to -4%. Indian economy grew by 4.2% in 2019-20.

Environment Current Affairs –June 2020

1. Cyclone Nisarga: Key Points The Nisarga Cyclone had formed following the low-pressure area over the Southeast and East-central Arabian Sea and Lakshadweep area. The name ‘Nisarga’ has been suggested by Bangladesh. As per the India Meteorological Department, the impact of the cyclone is likely to be felt in Maharashtra and Gujarat.

Doppler Weather Radars (DWRs) at Mumbai and Goa were used to track the cyclonic storm. Earlier, super cyclone Amphan had hit West Bengal, Odisha and Bangladesh.

2. Rare bandtail scorpionfish found in Gulf of Mannar Researchers at the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) have found a rare fish from Sethukarai coast of Tamil Nadu in the Gulf of Mannar. The band-tail scorpionfish (Scorpaenospsis neglecta) was for the first time found live in the Indian waters.

The fish is known for the stinging venomous spines and the ability for changing colour. The fish is called ‘scorpionfish’ because its spines contain neurotoxic venom. It uses its lateral sensory system instead of eyes to hunt its prey.

3. Amery Ice Shelf increased by 24% by 2021 The National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research predicted that the Amery Ice Shelf is to expand 24% by 2021. The prediction made by NCPOR is based on a 16-year-long satellite-based observation that covered an area of 60,000 sq km across the AIS.

The Ameri Ice Shelf (AIS) is one of the largest glacier drainage basins in the world, located on the east coast of Antarctica. The floating sheets of ice called ‘ice shelves’ play a multi-faceted role in maintaining the stability of a glacier. Ice shelves connect a glacier to the landmass.

Current Affairs –June 2020

4. Population of Asiatic Lions in Gir Forest grow by 29% According to the Gujarat Forest Department, the population of the majestic Asiatic Lion in Gir Forest has increased by 28.87% to 674. The area inhabited by lions has increased by 36% from 22,000 sq km in 2015 to 30,000 sq km in 2020. The population of 674 comprised 161 males, 260 females, 116 sub-adult lions and 137 cubs.

As per the May 2015 census, there were 523 Asiatic lions in Gir, an increase of 27% from 2010. For the population estimates, the Forest Department used the Direct Beat Verification method, also known as Block Count Method.

5. Brazil's Amazon rainforest reported highest deforestation in 5 years Amazon rainforest witnessed highest level of deforestation in 5 years, of a record 829 sq km in May, the highest monthly level since 2015. It has been estimated that destruction of the forest by illegal loggers and ranchers rose by 55%. The deforestation in the Amazon increased by 91 sq km compared to last year.

The Amazon rainforest is the largest rainforest in the world, covering an area of 5,500,000 sq km. Amazon Environmental Research Institute (IPAM) warned that deforestation in 2020 could reach 11,900 sq km.

6. New fish species discovered in Arunachal Pradesh A new species of fish has been discovered in Arunachal Pradesh. Dr. Keshav Kumar Jha, Associate Professor & Head, Department of Zoology, Jawaharlal Nehru College, Pasighat discovered a new fish species from genus Schizothorax.

The fish species is named as Schizothorax sikusirumensis. The name of this fish species has been derived from the name of the rivers where it was found. It inhabits the water logged area of torrential river drainage.

Current Affairs –June 2020

7. Indian Gaur or Bison (Bos gaurus) facing Mutation Scientist unveiled that rare genetic condition of leucism is observed in Indian Gaurs. Leucism causes partial loss of pigmentation in the skin pattern of the animal. This is not good for the animals as leucism might compromise the immune system of the animals and reduce their survival rates

The Indian Gaur or Bison (Bos gaurus) is the largest and the tallest in the family of wild cattle and is a grazing animal. Gaurs live in the wild and face an increasing threat of extinction.

8. Stegodon Fossil discovered from Saharanpur estimated to be 5 to 8 Million Years Old A joint team of forest officials and wildlife organization World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) discovered Stegodon Fossil from Saharanpur. It is estimated to be 5 to 8 million years old. Stegodon is a variety of the elephant fossil which used to be found at an early age.

The fossil is from Dhok Pathan formation of Siwalik sediments exposed in the vicinity of Badshahi Bagh area in Uttar Pradesh's Saharanpur. This fossil is a middle-age deposition.

9. 68 Million Years Old Egg discovered from Antarctica Scientists discovered 68-million-years old egg on Seymour Island off Antarctica’s coast. It is called Antarcticoolithus bradyi and belongs to Late Cretaceous period. This giant soft- shelled egg looks like a deflated football.

This newly discovered egg is smaller only than that of the extinct elephant bird, which looked like an enormous ostrich. It might have belonged to a huge marine reptile that lived alongside the dinosaurs. Mosasaurs are an extinct species of large marine reptiles that lived in the dinosaur era in Antarctica.

Finance Current Affairs –June 2020

1. RBI announced creation of Payments Infrastructure Development Fund The Reserve Bank of India announced the creation of a Rs 500-crore payments infrastructure development fund (PIDF) to encourage acquirers to deploy points of sale (PoS) infrastructure — both physical and digital modes — in tier-3 to tier-6 centres as also in northeastern states. RBI will make an initial contribution of ₹250 crores to the PIDF covering half the fund and remaining contribution will be from card issuing banks and card networks operating in the country.

The PIDF will be governed through an advisory council and managed and administered by the RBI. The setting up of this fund is in line with the recommendations of the report of the committee on deepening of digital payments, chaired by Nandan Nilekani.

2. HDFC Bank launched “Summer Treats” campaign HDFC Bank launched the “Summer Treats” campaign, which has exciting offers to meet the changing needs of merchants as well as salaried and self-employed customers. The needs such as demand for safe digital payments and private transport. Under this campaign, bank will offer no cost EMI, no down payment for large appliances, discounts and cashback on select brands, 50% extra Reward Points on online spends using Credit Cards etc.

The exclusive offers on the bank’s lending products include up to 70% lower EMI for first three months on car loans and up to 50% lower EMI for three months on two-wheeler loans.

3. RBI proposed comprehensive framework for sale of loans The Reserve Bank proposed a comprehensive framework for sale of loan exposures, which could be standard, sub-standard or non- performing assets (NPAs), as part of the overall exercise to deepen the market for lending. Loan sales may be resorted to by lenders for any reasons ranging from strategic sales to rebalance their exposures or as a means to achieve resolution of stressed assets by extinguishing the exposures.

A dynamic secondary market for bank loans

Current Affairs –June 2020

will also ensure proper discovery of credit risk pricing associated with each exposure and will be useful as a leading indicator for impending stress.

4. NABARD extended 270 crore rupees to Assam Gramin Vikash Bank National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development has extended a Special Liquidity Facility (SLF) of 270 crore rupees to Assam Gramin Vikash Bank to support the agricultural activities of the farmers amid COVID-19 pandemic.

The special liquidity facility is with a view to augment the resources of the Cooperative banks and RRBs to enable them to extend credit to farmers for taking up pre-monsoon and kharif (summer sown crops) 2020 operations. NABARD is a development financial institution, promoting sustainable and equitable agriculture and rural development.

5. RBI sets up panel to review ownership, corporate structure of Private sector banks The Reserve Bank of India has constituted a five-member Internal Working Group to review the guidelines related to ownership, governance and corporate structure of private sector banks. The committee will be headed by Central Board Director P K Mohanty and it will submit its report by 30th September, 2020.

The panel will examine norms for promoter shareholding at the initial/licensing stage and subsequently, along with the timelines for dilution of the shareholding. The panel will also examine and review the eligibility criteria for individuals or entities to apply for banking licence and make recommendations on all related issues.

6. ICICI Bank introduced ‘Insta FlexiCash’ paperless overdraft facility for salary accounts ICICI Bank has launched a new facility called ‘Insta Flexicash’ that enables its Salary Account customers to get approval for overdraft (OD) instantaneously and in a paperless manner. It is a end-to-end fully digital facility that can be availed using the Bank’s internet banking platform.

The facility will be sanctioned within 48 hours of application. Interest should be paid only on the actual OD amount utilised. The Bank offers

Current Affairs –June 2020

customers a credit limit worth up to three times their net salary.

7. HDFC ERGO launched India’s 1st ‘Pay as you Fly’ insurance HDFC ERGO partnered with TropoGo, a Deep Tech startup to offer commercial drone owners and operators Third Party Liability claims cover for property damage and bodily injuries. This policy is the first of its kind in the non-life insurance segment in India which will be offered on-demand to customers on ‘Pay as you Fly’.

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles or drones are being actively used by State and Central Government in the fight against Covid19. This cover will be offered to registered drone owners and operators holding a commercial drone pilot’s certificate or a license issued by certified training schools in India.

8. “SARAL” scheme launched by ICICI Home Finance for affordable house loan ICICI Home Finance (ICICI HFC) launched SARAL, an affordable housing loan scheme. Under this scheme, special rates for women, lower and middle income groups will be offered, having maximum household income up to Rs 6 lakh annually. The housing loan scheme provides affordable housing loans up to Rs 35 lakh at an interest rate starting from 7.98% for a maximum tenure of 20 years.

ICICI Home Finance Company Limited is registered with National Housing Bank (NHB), the regulatory authority for the Housing Finance Companies.

9. Cabinet approved 2% interest subvention to Shishu loan accounts under PMMY The Union Cabinet approved a scheme for interest subvention of 2% for a period of 12 months, to all Shishu loan accounts under Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) to eligible borrowers. The scheme will be extended to loans which had an outstanding as on 31st March, 2020 and not in Non- Performing Asset (NPA) category.

The estimated cost of the Scheme would be approximately Rs. 1,542 crore which would be provided by the Government of India. Loans for income generating activities up to Rs. 50,000 rupees under PMMY are termed as Shishu loans. The scheme will be implemented through SIDBI.

Current Affairs –June 2020

10. Yes bank partnered with Affordplan to launch health card Yes Bank in partnership with Affordplan, has announced the launch of ‘Swasth Card’. It is a co-branded healthcare card, under Swasth program. The bank's wallet has also been integrated on Affordplan Swasth to enable wallet QR scan for making payments to merchant partners empaneled on the Affordplan Swasth app.

The card provides access to goal-based savings projection chart for medical treatment based on treatment inputs. Affordplan is a Delhi-based fintech company specializing in healthcare.

11. Government to bring Cooperative banks under the supervision of RBI The Union Cabinet has approved to bring in an ordinance that will allow RBI to supervise all co-operative banks. The ordinance will bring government banks, including 1,482 urban cooperative banks and 58 multi-state cooperative banks, under supervisory powers of RBI.

The decision to bring the cooperative banks under RBI's supervision will give an assurance to more than 86 million depositors in these banks that their money amounting to Rs 4.84 trillion will stay safe.

12. Karnataka Bank launched KBL Micro Mitra The Karnataka Bank has launched a new product, KBL Micro Mitra, wherein financial assistance up to Rs.10 lakhs can be provided to the Micro manufacturing and service enterprises either for working capital or for investment purposes. The facility comes with a simplified procedure and competitive rate of interest.

Micro Manufacturing Enterprises are defined as those enterprises where investment in plant & machinery does not exceed Rs 25 lakh while in Micro Service Enterprises it does not exceed ten lakh rupees.

Current Affairs –June 2020

13. Government launched Rs 20,000-Crore Credit Guarantee Scheme for MSMEs The government launched a Rs 20,000-crore credit guarantee scheme to support distressed small businesses through the Credit Guarantee Scheme for Subordinate Debt (CGSSD). The scheme is also called as Distressed Assets Fund- Sub- Ordinate Debt for MSMEs.

Under the CGSSD, the government will provide a subordinate debt facility to the promoters of micro, small and medium enterprises that are either distressed or classified under non-performing assets. The promoters will be provided credit equal to 15% of their stake (equity plus debt) or Rs 75 lakh, whichever is lower. The scheme will be operationalised through the Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for MSEs (CGTMSE).

14. Reserve Bank of India extended enhanced borrowing limit to banks under MSF till Sept 30 The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has extended the enhanced borrowing facility provided to the banks to meet their liquidity shortages till September 30. The RBI, as a temporary measure, had increased the borrowing limit of scheduled banks under the marginal standing facility (MSF) scheme from 2% to 3% of their Net Demand and Time Liabilities (NDTL) with effect from March 27, 2020.

Under the MSF, banks can borrow overnight funds at their discretion by dipping into the Statutory Liquidity Ratio (SLR). This relaxation, which was granted till June 30, 2020, has now been extended till September 30.

15. Yes Bank launched ‘Yuva Pay’ in partnership with UDMA Technologies Yes bank has launched ‘Yuva Pay’, a unique digital wallet in partnership with UDMA Technologies to enable contactless payments. This innovation is a digital wallet issued under minimum KYC regulations, combined with bill payments via Bharat Bill Pay and Unified Payments Interface (UPI).

Yuva Pay will also double up as a banking app for funds transfer, account balance check, recharges or top ups, bill payments and rewards platform.

Current Affairs –June 2020

16. FPIs pump in a net Rs 21,235 crore in domestic markets between June 1 and June 26 Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) pumped in a net Rs 21,235 crore in domestic markets amid increasing liquidity and gradual opening up of the economy. FPIs invested Rs 22,893 crore into equities but pulled out Rs1,658 crore from the debt segment, taking the total net investment to Rs 21,235 crore between June 1 and June 26.

Prior to this, foreign investors remained net sellers for three consecutive months. They pulled out a net Rs 7,366 crore in May, Rs 15,403 crore in April and a record Rs 1.1 lakh crore in March.

Important Days Current Affairs –June 2020

1. Global Day of Parents 2020 The Global Day of Parents is observed annually on the 1st of June every year. This day honours all the parents around the world for their selfless commitment and lifelong sacrifice they do for their children.

The day recognizes that the family has the primary responsibility for the nurturing and protection of children. This Day was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in 2012 with resolution A/RES/66/292. The resolution recognizes the role of parents in the rearing of their children.

2. World Milk Day 2020 The 20th World Milk Day was celebrated on 1 June 2020. It has been observed annually since 2001. The Day provides an opportunity to focus attention on milk and to publicise activities connected with milk and the milk industry.

The theme for World Milk day 2020 is ‘the 20th Anniversary of World Milk Day’. The day was established by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to recognise the importance of milk as a global food.

3. World No Tobacco Day 2020 The World No Tobacco Day is celebrated annually on May 31st. This day is celebrated to create awareness and encourage people to reduce or completely stop the tobacco consumption in any form all across the globe.

The theme of the World no Tobacco Day 2020 is 'Protecting youth from industry manipulation and preventing them from tobacco and nicotine use'. The Day was first introduced by the World Health Organization to make the whole world free of tobacco.

Current Affairs –June 2020

4. World Bicycle Day 2020 The World Bicycle Day is observed every year on 3rd June. The day helps create awareness about the multiple societal benefits of using the bicycle for transport and leisure. It also highlights its benefits as a simple, affordable, reliable, clean and environmentally fit and sustainable means of transportation, promoting health for all.

On June 3, 2018, the first official World Bicycle Day was celebrated. The logo for World Bicycle Day was designed by Isaac Feld and the accompanying animation was done by Professor John E. Swanson.

5. World Environment Day 2020 The World Environment Day is observed annually worldwide on 5th June. The day aims to promote “Worldwide awareness and action for the protection of our environment.” This day is celebrated to spread awareness about the environment and its effects on the daily life of the people.

The day, this year, was hosted by Colombia. The theme for the World Environment Day 2020 is "Biodiversity". Biodiversity is the foundation that supports all life on land and below water.

6. International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression 2020 The United Nations' (UN) International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression is observed on June 4 each year. The day acknowledges the pain suffered by children throughout the world who are the victims of physical, mental and emotional abuse.

This Day celebrates the millions of individuals and organizations working to protect and preserve the rights of children and affirms the UN's commitment to protect the rights of children.

Current Affairs –June 2020

7. World Food Safety Day observed on 7th June The second World Food Safety Day (WFSD) was celebrated on 7 June 2020 to draw attention and inspire action to help prevent, detect and manage foodborne risks, contributing to food security, human health, economic prosperity, agriculture, market access, tourism and sustainable development.

Under the theme “Food safety, everyone’s business”, the action oriented campaign promoted global food safety awareness. Food safety is the absence or safe, acceptable levels of hazards in food that may harm the health of consumers.

8. World Oceans Day 2020 observed on 8th June World Ocean Day is observed on 8th June annually to raise awareness about the importance of oceans in our lives. The theme of UN World Oceans Day 2020 was “Innovation for a Sustainable Ocean.” It was related to the introduction of new methods, ideas, or products.

The purpose of the Day is to inform the public of the impact of human actions on the ocean, develop a worldwide movement of citizens for the ocean, and mobilize and unite the world’s population on a project for the sustainable management of the world's oceans.

9. World Accreditation Day 2020 celebrated on 9th June The World Accreditation Day (WAD) 2020 was celebrated on 9th June under the theme “Accreditation: Improving Food Safety”. The day highlight and promote the role of accreditation in trade & economy. World Accreditation Day as a global initiative, jointly established by the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) and the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC).

This year’s theme focused on how accreditation provides added value to supply chains. Supply chains provide a vital role in delivering products and services for consumers, business and the public sector in a timely, cost-efficient and quality manner.

Current Affairs –June 2020

10. World Day against Child Labour observed on 12 June The United Nations and International Labour Organization (ILO) observe 12 June every year as the World Day against Child labour. World Day against Child Labour 2020 focused on the impact of crisis on child labour. The COVID-19 health pandemic can push millions of vulnerable children into child labour.

On the occasion of the World Day, a joint ILO- UNICEF paper entitled “COVID-19 and child labour: A time of crisis, a time to act” was released. The paper details about some of the main ways through which the pandemic is likely to affect progress towards the eradication of child labour.

11. World Blood Donor Day 2020 The World Blood Donor Day is observed annually on the 14th of June across the world. The day aims to raise awareness about the global need for safe blood and how everyone can contribute. The theme for Blood Donation Day 2020 is 'Safe Blood Saves Lives'. The Slogan of "Blood Donation Day 2020" is 'Give Blood And Make The World A Healthier Place.'

The objective of this year’s campaign is to raise wider awareness of the urgent need to increase the availability of safe blood. It also demonstrates the need for universal access to safe blood transfusion.

12. International Albinism Awareness Day 2020 The International Albinism Awareness Day is observed annually on June 13. The day focuses on raising public awareness of albinism and preventing attacks and discrimination against persons with albinism. People with albinism face multiple forms of discrimination worldwide. The theme of the day this year is "Made To Shine."

Albinism is a rare, non-contagious, genetically inherited difference present at birth. Almost all people with albinism are visually impaired and are prone to developing skin cancer.

Current Affairs –June 2020

13. Global Wind Day 2020 Global Wind Day is a worldwide event that occurs annually on 15 June. The day is dedicated to spread the awareness and encourage the use of wind as a form of green and renewable source of energy.

The Government of India has set an ambitious target of producing 450 GW of renewable energy by 2030. The country is already working on the target of having 175 GW of renewable energy by 2022, which includes 100 GW of solar, 45 GW of wind energy and 15 GW of other sources of green energy.

14. World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2020 World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is observed annually on 15th June across the globe. World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2020's theme is "Lifting Up Voices". The day aims to focus global attention on the problem of physical, emotional, and financial abuse of elders.

The day was officially recognized by the United Nations General Assembly in its resolution 66/127 December 2011, following a request by the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse.

15. International Day of Family Remittances 2020 The International Day of Family Remittances (IDFR) 2020 was observed on 16 June. It is observed on this every year. The theme this year is "Remittances are a lifeline." The day is celebrated to recognise the efforts of migrants who help to improve the lives of their family members back home.

Global remittances to developing countries are projected to fall by US$ 110 billion in 2020 due to the economic crisis induced by the COVID-19 pandemic. The first International Day of Family Remittances was celebrated on June 16, 2015.

Current Affairs –June 2020

16. World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought 2020 The World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought is observed every year on 17th June. The day aims to raise awareness of the presence of desertification and drought, highlighting methods of preventing desertification and recovering from drought.

The theme for year 2020 is "Food. Feed.Fibre. - the links between consumption and land." This year’s observance is focused on changing public attitudes to the leading driver of desertification and land degradation: humanity’s relentless production and consumption.

17. International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict is a United Nations observance on June 19 every year. The day is observed to raise awareness of the need to put an end to conflict-related sexual violence, to honour the victims of sexual violence and to pay tribute to all those who have courageously devoted their life for the eradication of crimes.

A virtual event was organized by the office of the SRSG on sexual violence. The purpose of this event was to outline a number of implications related to the effects of COVID-19 on the lives of the survivors.

18. Autistic Pride Day observed on 18th June Autistic Pride Day is observed on 18th June to create awareness about autism among people. The day highlights the need to help improve the quality of life of those with autism so they can lead full and meaningful lives as an integral part of society.

Autistic Pride Day is dedicated to neurodiversity and celebrating rather than distinguishing individual differences. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neuro- developmental disorder which affects communication and socialization.

Current Affairs –June 2020

19. World Refugee Day 2020 The United Nations' (UN) World Refugee Day is observed annually on June 20. The day honors the courage, strength and determination of refugees who are forced to flee their homeland under threat of persecution, conflict and violence.

The theme of World Refugee Day this year is "every action counts." The theme focusses on every individual's contribution and responsibility to make a difference to make sure that no one is left behind. The focus is to bring about changes to make the world more inclusive.

20. World Music Day observed on June 21 World Music Day or Fête de la Musique was observed on June 21. It is an annual celebration that was founded by Jack Lang and Maurice Fleuret in 1981. This was first of its kind that musicians from the 8 Northeast states performed live virtually to celebrate world music day.

World Music Day started in 1982 in France as 'Fete de la Musique', a music festival. Every year free concerts are organized across the globe to make music accessible to all. It was so popular that is spread worldwide and people in every country celebrate music in their own unique way.

21. Sixth International Yoga Day observed on 21st June The sixth International Day of Yoga was observed on 21st June, 2020. International Yoga Day is celebrated on 21st June every year to recognize many benefits of the ancient Indian practice of yoga. The theme of 2020 Yoga day was "Yoga for Health - Yoga at Home".

Yoga is an ancient physical, mental and spiritual practice that originated in India. The World Health Organization mentioned ‘yoga’ as a means to improve health in its Global action plan on physical activity 2018–2030: more active people for a healthier world. Yoga benefits include increased flexibility and fitness, mindfulness and relaxation.

Current Affairs –June 2020

22. World Hydrography Day 2020 The World Hydrography Day is celebrated annually on June 21 to give suitable publicity to the work of hydrographers at all levels and increase the coverage of hydrographic information on a global basis. The World Hydrography Day theme for 2020 is “Hydrography Enabling Autonomous Technologies”.

The day seeks to highlight the fundamental importance of hydrography. Hydrography is the science of surveying and charting bodies of water, such as oceans, seas, lakes, and rivers.

23. United Nations Public Service Day 2020 The United Nations’ Public Service Day is held annually on the 23rd of June. This day intends to celebrate the value and virtue of public service to the community; highlights the contribution of public service in the development process; recognize the work of public servants, and encourage young people to pursue careers in the public sector.

The United Nations (UN) holds a Public Service Awards ceremony each year. It rewards the creative achievements and contributions of public service institutions worldwide.

24. International Widows’ Day 2020 The International Widows Day is observed every year on 23rd June. The day aims to raise awareness of the violation of human rights that widows suffer in many countries following the death of their spouses. International Widows' Day was initiated by the Loomba Foundation in 2005.

The theme of the day this year is ‘I am Generation Equality: Realizing Women’s Rights’, which is aligned with UN Women’s new multi-generational campaign, Generation Equality.

Current Affairs –June 2020

25. World Olympic Day 2020 The International Olympic Day is celebrated on the 23rd June annually. It was introduced in 1948 to commemorate the birth of the modern Olympic Games on the 23rd June 1894 at the Sorbonne in Paris. The goal was to promote participation in sport across the globe regardless of age, gender or athletic ability. The three pillars of the day are - “Move”, “Learn” and “Discover”.

Over the last 20 years, this Olympic Day has been associated with Olympic Day Runs all over the world. McDonald's in 2003 became the worldwide partner of this event.

26. International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking 2020 The International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is observed annually on 26 June against drug abuse and the illegal drug trade. The theme for 2020 is – "Better Knowledge for Better Care" to emphasize the need to improve the understanding of the world drug problem and how in turn, better knowledge will foster greater international cooperation for countering its impact on health, governance and security.

The observance was instituted by the United Nations General Assembly on Dec 7, 1987. The day is celebrated worldwide to make people aware and emphasize the hazards of drug addiction and illegal trafficking.

27. Day of the Seafarer 2020 The Day of the Seafarer 2020 was celebrated across the globe on the 25th June. This year marked the 10th anniversary of the day. The campaign for 2020 is "Seafarers are Key Workers".

The 2020 Day of the Seafarer campaign pays tribute to seafarers, acknowledging their sacrifice and the issues they face. The campaign encourages everyone to treat seafarers with the respect and dignity they deserve. The decision to celebrate 25th June as the Day of the Seafarer was taken by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in 2010.

International Current Affairs –June 2020

1. G7 summit postponed; Trump wants it to be expanded as G10 or G11 US President Donald Trump has postponed the G7 Summit till September and has suggested expansion of the Group to G10 or G11 with India, Australia, South Korea and Russia included. G7 is a grouping of the world’s largest economies – the US, UK, France, Germany, Italy, Canada and Japan.

The U.S. chairs the G7 this year. After taking the office, Trump has pulled the U.S. from the Trans-Pacific Partnership, the Paris climate accord, UNESCO, the United Nations Human Rights Council, the 2015 Iran nuclear agreement, the Treaty on Open Skies and the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty.

2. WHO launched ‘COVID-19 Technology Access Pool’ World Health Organization has launched COVID-19 Technology Access Pool (C-TAP). The idea of C-TAP was mooted by President Carlos Alvarado of Costa Rica. More than 30 countries have signed up to support this initiative.

The aim of this initiative is to provide access to all for making vaccines, tests, treatments and other health technologies to fight COVID- 19. C-TAP will serve as a sister initiative to the Access to COVID-19 Tools (ACT) Accelerator.

3. India pledged USD 15 mn to GAVI India has pledged 15 million dollars to GAVI – The Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunizations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced this while addressing the virtual Global Vaccine Summit hosted by UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Gavi is a United Nations-backed organisation which coordinates vaccinations across the world.

Gavi launched the Gavi Advance Market Commitment for COVID-19 Vaccines (Gavi Covax AMC). It is aimed at incentivising vaccine manufacturers to produce sufficient quantities of eventual COVID-19 vaccines, and to ensure access for developing countries.

Current Affairs –June 2020

4. IMF halved growth projection for Bangladesh to 3.8% for FY 2020 The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has halved the GDP growth projection for Bangladesh for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 to 3.8% from its earlier pre-COVID figure of 7.4%. The decline would be the largest one- year decline in the last three decades.

The IMF report points out that the Current Account Deficit (CAD) of Bangladesh is also projected to widen to 2.2% of GDP in FY 20 and further to 3.5% in FY 21 due to fall in remittances and export earnings.

5. Bangladesh launched Corona tracing app The ICT Division of the Government of Bangladesh and the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) have launched an app to trace Corona infected people and people near them. The smartphone-based app ‘Corona Tracer BD’ utilizes Bluetooth signal to trace a Corona infected person nearby.

The app will also help the government in determining areas with high risk of Coronavirus. Bangladesh government has also approved the proposal to recruit 3000 medical technologists to assist the healthcare services in the country.

6. World Economic Forum to host ‘twin summit’ in January 2021 The World Economic Forum will host a unique "Twin Summit" in January 2021 at Davos, Switzerland. The theme of the summit will be "The Great Reset". “The Great Reset” is a commitment to jointly and urgently build the foundations of economic and social system for a more fair, sustainable and resilient future.

The twin summit will be both in-person and virtual, connecting key global governmental and business leaders in Davos with a global multistakeholder network in 400 cities around the world for a forward-oriented dialogue driven by the younger generation.

Current Affairs –June 2020

7. Joe Biden became Democratic presidential nominee of United States elections Former United States Vice President Joe Biden became the Democratic presidential nominee to run for the White House against President Donald Trump in the elections in November 2020. Biden, took his tally of pledged delegates over the halfway mark of 1,991 from a total of 3,979, thus becoming eligible to earn the Democratic Party's presidential nomination.

Joe Biden served as the 47th vice president of the United States from 2009 to 2017 during the presidency of Barack Obama. As a Senator, he had voted to approve the landmark civilian nuclear deal between the two countries in 2008.

8. OPEC agreed to cut oil production by about 10% till July 2020 Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and allied nations have agreed to extend a production cut of nearly 10 million barrels of oil a day through the end of July 2020, to boost energy prices hard hit by the Coronavirus pandemic.

Ministers of the cartel and other nations like Russia discussed to adopt the measure, aimed at cutting out the excess production depressing prices as global aviation remains largely grounded due to the pandemic. It represents 10% of the world's overall supply. The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries is an intergovernmental organization of 13 nations.

9. G20 countries pledged 21 billion USD to fight COVID-19 G20 members and invited countries pledged to give more than $ 21 billion to support global health financing against Covid-19 pandemic. Almost 7 million cases of Covid-19 have been confirmed across the world, and nearly 400,000 people have died.

The funds will counteract the social, economic and financial impacts of the pandemic such as diagnostics, vaccines, therapeutics, research and development, safeguard the global economy, minimizing trade disruption and steps to enhance global cooperation. The G20 is an international forum for the governments and central bank governors from 19 countries and the European Union.

Current Affairs –June 2020

10. Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China formed Senior lawmakers from eight democracies around the world formed Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China to counter the threats posed by Communist China. It is an open, free and rules-based international order that supports human dignity.

Eight democracies include European Parliament foreign affairs committee member Miriam Lexmann, US Democrat Bob Menendez, former Japanese defense minister General Nakatani and British MP Sir Iain Duncan-Smith along with Australian Senator Kimberley Kitching, Canadian MP Garnett Genuis, German MP Micheal Brand, Lithuanian MP Mantas Adomenas, Dutch MP Arne Weverling, and Norwegian MP Michael Tetzschner.

11. World Bank predicted Bangladesh growth rate to decline to 1.6 % The World Bank in its report ‘Global Economic Prospects 2020’ predicted the GDP growth rate in Bangladesh to come down to 1.6 % in 2020-21. It was predicted based on fact that the recovery in industrial production in the country has been reversed due to COVID-19 related disruptions such as mitigation measures and global export plunge and fall in remittances.

The report highlighted that Industrial and services activity has declined sharply in the South Asian Region (SAR) leading to sharp fall in production and sale in key sectors like Ready Made Garment (RMG) in Bangladesh.

12. Tech Mahindra signed UN Global Compact Initiative to curtail emissions Tech Mahindra signed joint declaration with UN Global Compact Initiative to curtail emissions. Under this initiative, 155 global companies build resilience against future shocks by achieving net-zero carbon emissions while calling on governments to “Prioritize a faster and fairer transition from a grey to a green economy”.

Tech Mahindra has joined those 155 global companies and seeks to reduce carbon footprint and emissions to hold global temperature rise to within 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, in order to reach net-zero emissions before 2050.

Current Affairs –June 2020

13. New Zealand declared itself free from “Coronavirus” New Zealand declared itself free from the coronavirus and lifted all virus-related restrictions within the country. Since the last person who was being monitored for coronavirus was released from isolation and regarded as recovered, Health Ministry of South-Pacific nation New Zealand declared itself as ‘free from Covid-19.

All restrictions such as social distancing and limits on economic activity and public gatherings, except ‘border controls’ were lifted from June 9th. New Zealand had reported 1,154 infections and 22 deaths from the disease.

14. ‘Shohojodha’ online plasma network for COVID-19 launched by Bangladesh The Government of Bangladesh launched an online network named as ‘Shohojodha’ to facilitate plasma exchange between recovered patients of COVID-19 and those undergoing treatment for Corona infection in the country. The plasma therapy for the Coronavirus patients in Bangladesh is under trial process awaiting final approval from the government.

Shohojodha has been established by the ICT division of the government of Bangladesh in collaboration with Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), a2i innovation lab and e-Generation to facilitate collection and distribution of plasma from patients who have recovered from Coronavirus.

15. India-ASEAN boost cooperation during Youth Dialogue 2020 During the third India-ASEAN youth dialogue, the members pledged to enhance cooperation in ways to effectively and constructively channelising youthful energy.

Highlights are: -The dialogue established the revival of Nalanda University in Bihar towards channelizing youthful energy. -Launching of 1,000 PhD fellowships for ASEAN students at the Indian Institutes of Technology. -It highlighted several other youth-centric initiatives such as special Courses for Young ASEAN Diplomats and Exchange Programmes for Young Farmers.

Current Affairs –June 2020

16. China's unmanned submersible reached deepest point on the earth China's unmanned submersible has dived to a depth of 10,907 metres at the world's deepest ocean point, setting a new record for the country during which samples from the deep sea and high-definition images of the geological environment were collected. China dived in search of precious metals. The deep- sea submersible is planned to conduct its first ocean test in 2021.

The known deepest part of the ocean is the Challenger Deep at a depth of around 11,000 metres in the Mariana Trench.

17. India elected as non-permanent member of UNSC India was elected as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2021-22 term. India secured 184 votes in the 193-member General Assembly. Ireland, Mexico and Norway were also elected as non- permanent member of UNSC.

India's two year term will begin on January 1, 2021. This is the eighth time that India will sit at the UN high-table, which comprises five permanent members and 10 non-permanent members. The other non-permanent members are Estonia, Niger, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Tunisia and Vietnam.

18. India selected as UNSC President for August 2021 India, which has been elected as a non- permanent member of the Security Council, will serve as the president of the powerful 15-nation UN body for the month of August, 2021. India won 184 votes out of the 192 ballots cast to become UNSC President for August 2021.

The UNSC is the only UN body with the authority to issue binding resolutions. Membership of the United Nations Security Council is held by the five permanent members and ten elected, non-permanent members. Under the Charter of the United Nations, all Member States are obligated to comply with Council decisions.

Current Affairs –June 2020

19. Bangladesh to get Zero Tariff facility on 97% goods exported to China Bangladesh will start receiving zero tariff facility on 97% of its goods exported to China under the Duty Free Quota Free (DFQF) scheme of WTO for the Least Developed Countries (LDCs). Bangladesh will get this facility on 5161 additional items from July 1. Currently, 3095 commodities from Bangladesh have been enjoying zero tariff facility for export to China under the Asia Pacific Trade Agreement (APTA).

Bangladesh has a huge balance of trade imbalance with China. In 2018-19, Bangladesh exported dollar 831 million worth items to China. Its import from China was in excess of dollar 12 billion.

20. World Bank approved $1.05 billion to Bangladesh The World Bank has approved $1.05 billion for three projects in Bangladesh to create quality jobs and accelerate economic recovery in the wake of the Corona pandemic. a. $500 million Private Investment and Digital Entrepreneurship (PRIDE) Project: It will attract about $2 billion direct private investments and create 150,000 jobs. b. $295 million Enhancing Digital Government and Economy (EDGE) Project: It will establish an integrated, cloud-computing digital platform for all government agencies and create 100,000 jobs. c. $250 million Second Programmatic Jobs Development Policy Credit: It will create fiscal space to support the government’s response to the COVID-19 crisis.

21. India participated in Victory Day Parade of World War-II A Tri-Service contingent of the comprising 75 all ranks, led by a colonel rank officer participated in the Military Parade at Red Square, Moscow on 24 June 2020, to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of Victory of the Soviet People in the great Patriotic War of 1941-1945.

The British Indian Armed Forces during World War-II were one of the largest Allied Forces contingents which took part in the North and East African Campaign, Western Desert Campaign and the European Theatre against the Axis powers. These campaign witnessed sacrifice by over 87 thousand Indian servicemen beside 34,354 being wounded.

Current Affairs –June 2020

22. Volkan Bozkir became new president of 75th UN General Assembly The UN General Assembly elected Turkish diplomat Volkan Bozkir to be its new president for 75th General Debate in September 2020. He won the unanimous support of the 178 UN members. He will take over from Tijjani Muhammad-Bande, the present General Assembly president. Bozkir is currently serving as a Justice and Development (AK) Party lawmaker from Istanbul and head of the Turkish Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee.

The United Nations General Assembly is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations, serving as the main deliberative, policy-making, and representative organ of the UN.

23. India and Nepal signed MoU to improve infrastructure of the Pashupatinath temple India and Nepal signed a Memorandum of Understanding to improve infrastructure of the Pashupatinath temple complex. It would include construction of the sanitation facility at the Pashupatinath Temple. India has pledged to extend financial assistance amounting to NRs 37.23 million (INR 2.33 crore) for the sanitation facility.

The project would be constructed under the Nepal-Bharat Maitri. Nepal-Bharat Maitri is a development partnership as a high impact community development scheme by India. Pashupatinath Temple is a famous and sacred Hindu temple complex. It is located on the banks of the Bagmati River, in the eastern part of Kathmandu Valley.

24. World's first yoga University outside India launched in US The world's first yoga university outside India has been launched in Los Angeles, United States. The university has been named Vivekananda Yoga University (VaYU) and eminent Indian yoga guru Dr. H R Nagendra has been appointed as the first Chairman of VaYU.

The university offers programmes that combine scientific principles and modern research approaches to the ancient Indian practice of yoga. VaYU will offer online graduate programmes based on scientific principles and modern research approaches to yoga.

Current Affairs –June 2020

25. India pledged USD 10 million to UNRWA over next two years India has announced to contribute 10 million US dollar to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) over the coming two years. India had stepped up its annual pledge from USD 1.25 million to USD 5 million in 2018.

India has already disbursed USD 2 million to UNRWA in 2020 and will soon be remitting the remaining USD 3 million. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East is an UN agency. It supports the relief and human development of Palestinian refugees.

26. Virtual India Pavilion at Cannes Film Market 2020 India participated in the Cannes Film Festival – 2020 with the e-inauguration of the Virtual India Pavilion. The Festival was held from 22 - 26 June, 2020. The Pavillion facilitated B2B meetings and linkages between film makers and other media and entertainment industries stake holders.

Two National Film Award winning movies were screened- MaiGhat: Crime No 103/200 (Marathi) and Hellaro (Gujarati). NFDC’s Film Bazaar partnered with Marche’ du Films and took 5 Films from Film Bazaar 2019 for pitching in the Market.

27. Foundation stone for first Hindu temple in Islamabad laid Pakistan has laid the foundation ston of a Rs 10 crore Hindu temple in islamabad. It is the first temple in Islamabad. The Krishna temple will come up in a 20,000 sq ft plot at the capital’s H-9 area.

The plot for the temple was allotted to the Hindu Panchayat by the Capital Development Authority (CDA) in 2017. The temple complex will also have a cremation site, apart from the space for separate structures for other religious rites.

Current Affairs –June 2020

28. Serbia's President Aleksandar Vucic declared a landslide victory Serbia's President Aleksandar Vucic declared a landslide victory for his right-wing party SNS-led Coalition in 2020 Parliamentary Election. The victory was declared amid concerns over spread of the coronavirus and a boycott from much of the opposition.

Serbian Progressive Party won over 60% of the vote, or some 190 seats in the 250-seat Serbian parliament. Aleksandar Vučić has been President of Serbia since 2017 and the party's President since 2012. He served as the prime minister of Serbia in two terms from 2014 to 2016 and from 2016 until 2017.

29. China decided to join the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) China's top legislative body voted to join the multilateral United Nations Arms Trade Treaty (UN-ATT) to regulate its arms sales. China is among the world's leaders in weapon exports. China has initiated domestic legal procedures to join the Arms Trade Treaty.

The Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) is a multilateral treaty that regulates the international trade in conventional weapons. It entered into force on 4th December 2014. 105 states have ratified the treaty, and a further 32 states have signed it.

30. IMF approved an emergency financial assistance worth 356.5 million dollars for Myanmar The IMF Executive board has approved an emergency financial assistance worth 356.5 million dollars for Myanmar to address challenges posed by the COVID 19 pandemic.

The assistance for Myanmar has been approved under the Rapid Credit Facility and Rapid Financing Instrument to meet the urgent balance of payment and fiscal needs of the country. It will also support the government’s plans to boost spending especially on health and social safety nets.

Current Affairs –June 2020

31. FATF decided to continue Pakistan in Grey List The global terror financing watchdog Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has decided to keep Pakistan in the Grey List' for terror financing. The decision has been taken as Pakistan has failed to check flow of money to terror groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e- Mohammed (JeM).

The decision will make difficult for Pakistan to get financial aid from the IMF, World Bank, ADB and the European Union, thus further enhancing problems for the nation which is in a precarious financial situation. The FATF currently has 39 members including two regional organizations -- the European Commission and Gulf Cooperation Council.

32. IMF lowered forecast for global growth this year The International Monetary Fund has predicted the global economy to shrink by 4.9% in 2020, 1.9 percentage points below the April 2020 World Economic Outlook (WEO) forecast. IMF had previously estimated 3% drop in the global economy in its report in April. In 2021 global growth is projected at 5.4%.

United States is expected to shrink by 8% in 2020 while France, Italy, Spain and UK are expected to shrink by 12.5%, 12.8%, 12.8% and 10.2% respectively in 2020. IMF has predicted a decline of 4.5% for India while projected China to grow at 1%.

33. NTPC bagged 500-MW solar park contract in Mali NTPC has been awarded the project management consultancy contract for the development of 500 megawatt (MW) solar park in the Republic of Mali. NTPC plans to anchor 10,000 MW of solar parks in International Solar Alliance (ISA) member countries in next two years.

In 2019, ISA had endorsed NTPC as a Project Management Consultant through a competitive process for the member countries to avail the services of NTPC. Earlier, the Republic of Togo had engaged NTPC for similar support for development of 285-MW solar park.

Current Affairs –June 2020

34. Iran to set up permanent base in the Indian Ocean The Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps announced to set up its permanent military base in the Indian Ocean by March 2021 to expand its presence in the international waters. Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps has taken this decision to avoid any encroachments. It had already dispatched two naval flotillas to the Indian Ocean.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is a branch of the Iranian Armed Forces set up in 1979, to defend the country's Islamic system.

35. Democrat-led House of Representatives approved Statehood Bill for Washington D.C Democrat-led House of Representatives approved historical Statehood Bill for Washington D.C.The House of Representatives voted to declare the city to be the nation’s 51st state. However, it is yet to pass through Republican-controlled chamber.

Earlier, the House voted on D.C. statehood once before, in 1993. The bill failed 277 to 153.The vote is result of efforts since decades by statehood activists.

36. WHO-led coalition ‘ACT-Accelerator’ needs USD 31.3 billion The World Health Organization (WHO)-led coalition fighting the coronavirus needs 31.3 billion U.S. dollars over the next 12 months. There is a gap of 27.9 billion U.S. dollars, of which 13.7 billion was "urgently needed". ACT-Accelerator partners are collaborating under four pillars that will help produce the key tools needed to achieve a step change in the pandemic response.

ACT-Accelerator’s success will end the pandemic faster by ensuring that the tools developed are allocated rationally and equitably around the world, maximizing the chances of global success in finally ending the pandemic.

Current Affairs –June 2020

37. China annexed parts of Nepal by diverting the flow of rivers Survey Department of Agriculture Ministry of Nepal unveiled that China has encroached places which make up around 33 hectares of Nepal's land, by diverting the flow of rivers which act as a natural boundary between the two countries.

At least 10 places, including two villages in the northern part of the Gorkha district (Nepal) have been encroached by China. The rivers have been diverted using increased road construction in Tibet to cut into Kathmandu's land, and may set up border outposts in these areas in the future.

Miscellaneous Current Affairs –June 2020

1. Veteran lyricist Yogesh Gaur, known as Yogesh in the film industry, passed away at the age of 77 years. He is known for hit songs like “Kahin duur jab din dhal jaye” and “Zindagi kaisi hai paheli” that defined the superhit film Anand (1971). 2. First phase of the Army Commanders' Conference concluded in New Delhi. In the three day conference, Army’s apex leadership deliberated upon various aspects related to existing and developing security challenges. 3. Centre has allocated over 1832 crore rupees for implementation of Jal jeevan mission in Bihar during 2020-21. Bihar plans to provide tap connections to remaining 1.5 crore households in 2020-21. 4. The Madhya Pradesh state government has launched a unique scheme 'Rozgar Setu' to help secure employment for skilled workers who have returned. 5. The Tamil Nadu State Government has announced a 300-crore rupee special financial package to accelerate new job generation in villages. 6. The 36th National Games, planned for October-November in Goa, was deferred indefinitely due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 7. The Union Government accepted the Swaminathan report and allowed 50% higher MSP than input cost. 8. Karnataka has extended invitation to major chip manufacturing company Intel to set up it's unit in the state. 9. Carat India has appointed Anita Kotwani as its Chief Executive Officer (CEO). 10. Bollywood Music composer Wajid Khan passed away at the age of 42 years. 11. The Telangana Formation Day was observed on 2nd June. 12. International archer-turned-coach Jayantilal Nanoma passed away.He is an Asia Cup and Asian Grand Prix medallist in compound individual and team events in 2010. 13. Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju launched the Khelo India Community Coach Development programme for 15,000 physical education teachers and coaches around the country. 14. In the light of the prevailing health emergency in the country due to COVID-19, this year’s International Yoga Day is set to go digital internationally. 15. The tenure of Subramanian Sundar as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Lakshmi Vilas Bank has been extended till 30th November 2020, after the approval from the Reserve Bank of India. 16. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has launched a mobile application “Delhi Corona” that will provide information to the people of Delhi about the availability of the beds and ventilators in government as well as private hospitals in Delhi. 17. The IndusInd Bank has launched a mobile application based facility where customer can open the current bank account in a paperless manner in just a few hours. 18. The merger of Peugeot S.A (PSA) and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N.V. (FCA) has been approved by the Competition Commission of India (CCI). 19. Veteran Bollywood lyricist Anwar Sagar passed away at the age of 70 years. 20. Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor, Girish Chandra Murmu has launched a salary tracker mobile app MeraVetan (Version-1) for government employees in order to provide Salary Related information to Employees. 21. The Union Territory administration of Jammu and Kashmir is among the top performers in Pradhan MantriGaribKalyan Anna Yojna while distributing around 100 percent of Ration among the beneficiaries till June 6, during the COVID-19 pandemic situation.

Current Affairs –June 2020

22. Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has issued an S.O. 1979 (E) dt. 5th June 2020 mandating a strip of green colour of 1 cm width on top of the existing sticker carrying details of registration for BS-VI vehicles of any fuel type i.e. for petrol or CNG which have a light blue colour sticker and a diesel vehicle which is of orange colour. 23. Union Government has hiked Customs duty on bamboo imports by agarbatti manufacturers from 10% to 25% with immediate effect. 24. The state cabinet of Odisha has adopted “Bande Utklala Janani” or Glory to mother Utkala as the anthem of Odisha. The anthem has been written by Kantakabi Laxmikanta Mohapatra in 1912. 25. Mrs. Surinder Kaur, former Head of Publications Division and Directorate of Advertisement & Visual publicity passed away. A senior Indian Information Service Officer of 1968 batch, she held several important positions in All India Radio News and Press Information Bureau. 26. Indian Railways has created a new world benchmark by successfully running first Double-Stack Container Train in high-rise in Over Head Equipment electrified territory on Western Railway. 27. Veteran Urdu poet Anand Mohan Zutshi Gulzar Dehlvi passed away at the age of 93 years. 28. The Uttar Pradesh State Government has successfully installed Tru NAAT machines in all 75 districts that will help in getting early results of COVID tests. 29. Myanmar military “Tatmadaw” has decided to use Facebook again to provide ‘accurate’ news to people. 30. Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has developed a sanitizing chamber called 'GermiKlean' to sanitise uniforms of security forces. 31. A Manila, Philippines based foundation that gives out Ramon Magsaysay Award announced that the awards are being cancelled due to COVID-19. 32. Former Union Water Resources Minister Arjun CharanSethi who was eight-time MP from Bhadrak, Odisha, passed away. 33. The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has banned Former European high jump champion, Alexander Shustov for 4-years for the use or attempted use of a banned substance or method (doping). 34. Cloud-based payment solutions provider, Empays Payment Systems India has tied-up with Mastercard to launch contactless ATM solution in India due to COVID-19 pandemic. 35. Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati has developed an application called “Flyzy” for consistent and contactless air travel during the COVID-19 pandemic. 36. President Ram NathKovind has appointed senior Kashmiri lawyer Javed Iqbal Wani as a Judge of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court. 37. The Shipping Ministry has invited ship owners worldwide to flag their ships in India to take advantage of the Make in India policy. 38. Noted folk singer of Uttarakhand Heera Singh Rana passed away at the age of 78 years. 39. Madhya Pradesh government gave ‘corona warriors’ status to Divyang Anganwadi workers. 40. Bollywood actor Pankaj Tripathi has been appointed as the brand ambassador of Bihar Khadi by the Bihar government to promote Bihar Khadi and the country’s largest Khadi Mall in Patna. 41. Atul Srivastava, Director of Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), passed away. 42. Airtel Payments Bank has launched ‘Suraksha Salary Account’ for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME).

Current Affairs –June 2020

43. India’s oldest first-class cricketer Vasant Raiji passed away at the of 100 years. Raiji played nine first-class matches for Mumbai and Baroda in the 1940s. 44. Former Lok Sabha MP and founder of Janalaxmi Cooperative Bank, Madhavrao Patil passed away. 45. West Bengal government has launched a job portal named ‘KarmaBhumi’ for IT professionals who have returned to the state amid the COVID-19 pandemic. 46. The Reserve Bank of India on Friday extended restrictions on the beleaguered Punjab and Maharashtra Co-operative Bank for another six months to 22 December, 2020. However, RBI has enhanced the withdrawal limit for the bank's depositors to ₹1 lakh from the existing ₹50,000. 47. Malayalam Film director, scriptwriter, and producer K.R. Sachidanandan passed away. 48. International Workshop on “Good Governance Practices in a Pandemic for International Civil Servants” was inaugurated by the Union Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Jitendra Singh. 49. “Composite Regional Centre (CRC) for Skill Development, Rehabilitation and Employment of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs)” has been inaugurated in Ranchi, Jharkhand. 50. A special health insurance policy has been launched by the Karnataka Bank in association with Universal Sompo General Insurance Company Ltd to cover the uncertainties posed by COVID-19 pandemic. 51. Bank of Baroda will completely digitize its lending operations including home, agriculture, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), personal and auto loans. 52. Karnataka government observed the “Mask Day” on 18 June 2020 to aware the people about the use of masks, sanitisers, washing hands with soap in order to control the spread of COVID-19 in the state. 53. French integrated content, media and communications group, Vivendi has partnered with Grammy winner Ricky Kej for ‘My Earth Concert for Kids’ on World Music Day, June 21. 54. Former Goa minister, Achyut Kashinath Sinai Usgaonkar passed away. 55. Maruti Suzuki India (MSI) has collaborated with Karur Vysya Bank to offer simpler and flexible financing plans for new clients. 56. Former Supreme Court judge, D K Jain gets one-year extension from Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) as ethics officer and ombudsman. 57. NITI Aayog in collaboration with Piramal Foundation and 25 Aspirational Districts launched Surakshit Dada-Dadi, Nana-Nani Abhiyan to ensure the well-being of 2.9 million Senior Citizens during the COVID-19 pandemic. 58. Department of Science and Technology (DST) has launched the official 50 Year Logo for the Golden Jubilee Commemoration Year celebration including a series of activities. 59. Defence Conclave 2020 Gujarat: A two-day digital conference on the defence & aerospace manufacturing sector, organised by Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Gujarat along with Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM). 60. Apollo Tyres has commissioned its manufacturing facility in Andhra Pradesh. Globally, this is the 7th manufacturing unit of Apollo Tyres and the 5th in India. 61. Leaders of Sudan, Ethiopia and Egypt announced to end a decade-long dispute over water supplies and join the African Union. 62. TPPA of USD 2.4 Billion Signed by Pakistan with China for Hydro Power Project in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir.

National Current Affairs –June 2020

1. DST initiated COVID-19 Indian National Supermodel The Department of Science and Technology (DST) has initiated a COVID-19 Indian National Supermodel to help monitor the future transmission of infection, thus aiding decisions involving health system readiness and other mitigation measures. Numerous mathematical models for Covid-19 forecasting and surveillance are being worked out by investigators funded by DST-SERB (Science and Engineering Research Board) and other agencies.

The model will entirely rely only on the data that is relevant to COVID-19. It will aggregate successful evidence-based mathematical and statistical forecasting models and include the best predictive analytics for robust forecasting of infectious disease spread.

2. Union Cabinet approved setting up of an Empowered Group of Secretaries The Union Cabinet has approved setting up of an Empowered Group of Secretaries (EGoS) and Project Development Cells (PDCs) in Ministries and Departments to attract investments in the country. The EGoS will be headed by a Cabinet Secretary (Chairperson) and CEO, NitiAayog as member including other 5 members.

This new mechanism will reinforce India’s vision of becoming a five trillion economy by 2024-25. It will bring about synergies between Ministries and Departments and among the Central and State Governments in investment and related incentive policies.

3. Government launched pan-India Real Time Market in electricity The Power Ministry has launched pan-India Real Time Market in electricity. The real time market is an organised market platform to enable the buyers and sellers pan-India to meet their energy requirement closer to real time of operation.

Real time market would be operational for every 30 minutes in a day based on double sided closed auction with uniform price. The concept of “Gate Closure” has been introduced for bringing in the desired

Current Affairs –June 2020

firmness in schedules during the hours of market operation. 4. PM SVANIDHI scheme launched to provide affordable loans to street vendors Union Government launched PM SVANIDHI - Pradhan Mantri Street Vendor’s Atmanirbhar Nidhi - a special micro-credit facility scheme for providing affordable loan to street vendors. The scheme targets to benefit over 50 lakh street vendors. The duration of the scheme is till March 2022.

The vendors can avail a working capital loan of up to Rs. 10,000, repayable in monthly instalments in the tenure of one year. On timely and early repayment of the loan, an interest subsidy of 7% will be credited to the bank accounts of beneficiaries through Direct Benefit Transfer on six monthly basis.

5. PM launched technology-based solution CHAMPIONS Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched technology-based solution named as CHAMPIONS for MSME sector. CHAMPIONS stands for Creation and Harmonious Application of Modern Processes for Increasing the Output and National Strength. It is aimed to provide one stop solution to all the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises in the country.

The platform will address grievance related to finances, raw material and permissions among others. The system is enabled by Artificial Intelligence, Data Analytics and Machine Learning for providing quick solutions to the participating members.

6. Ministry of MSME set to Implement New Norms of MSME Classification Union Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) has issued Gazette notification to pave the way for implementation of the upward revision in the definition and criteria of MSMEs. It will come into effect from 1st July, 2020.

The definition of micro manufacturing and services units was increased to Rs. 1 Crore of investment and Rs. 5 Crore of turnover. The limit of small unit was increased to Rs. 10 Crore of investment and Rs. 50 Crore of turnover. For medium enterprises, now it will be Rs. 50 Crore of investment and Rs. 250 Crore of turnover.

Current Affairs –June 2020

7. Cabinet approved establishment of PCIM&H as Subordinate Office under Ministry of AYUSH The Union Cabinet approved to re-establish Pharmacopoeia Commission for Indian Medicine & Homoeopathy (PCIM&H) as Subordinate Office under Ministry of AYUSH by merging into it Pharmacopoeia Laboratory for Indian Medicine (PLIM) and Homoeopathic Pharmacopoeia Laboratory (HPL) the two central laboratories established at Ghaziabad since 1975.

The merger is aimed at optimising the use of infrastructural facilities, technical manpower and financial resources of the three organisations for enhancing the standardisation outcomes of Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Homoeopathy drugs towards their effective regulation and quality control.

8. Cabinet approved renaming of Kolkata Port Trust as Syama Prasad Mookerjee Trust The Union Cabinet approved to rename Kolkata Port as Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port. Syama Prasad Mookerjee was a multifaceted genius, an eminent jurist, academician, thinker and leader of the masses.

The Kolkata Port is the first Major Port as well as the only riverine port of the country. It came to be governed by a Trust on 17th October, 1870, on appointment of the Commissioners for Improvement of the Port of Calcutta as per Act V of 1870.

9. Cabinet approved MoU between India and Bhutan on Cooperation in the areas of Environment The Union Cabinet has given its approval for signing the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and Bhutan on Cooperation in the areas of Environment. The MoU covers the following areas: • Air; • Waste; • Chemical Management; • Climate Change; • Any other areas jointly decided upon.

The Memorandum of Understanding shall facilitate exchange of experiences, best practices and technical knowhow through both public and private sectors and shall contribute to sustainable development.

Current Affairs –June 2020

10. India launched its first National Artificial Intelligence Portal Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad launched India’s national Artificial Intelligence Portal called www.ai.gov.in. It is developed jointly by the National e-Governance Division of MeitY and NASSCOM.

This portal shall work as an one stop digital platform for AI related developments in India, sharing of resources such as articles, startups, investment funds in AI, resources, companies and educational institutions related to AI in India. The portal will also share documents, case studies, research reports etc. It has section about learning and new job roles related to AI.

11. Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad launched program “Responsible AI for Youth” Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad launched a National Program for the youth, “Responsible AI for Youth”. The aim of this Program is to give the young students of the country a platform and empower them with appropriate new age tech mind-set, relevant AI skill-sets and access to required AI tool- sets to make them digitally ready for the future.

“Responsible AI for Youth” will empower the youth to become AI ready and help reduce the skill gap. It is open to students of classes 8 - 12 from Central and State government-run schools.

12. PM Modi launched 'My Life, My Yoga' international video-blogging competition Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched "My Life, My Yoga" international video-blogging competition. The contest, also called "Jeevan Yoga", is a joint effort by the Ministry of AYUSH and the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR).

The competition comes as one of the activities related to the observation of the sixth International Day of Yoga (IDY) on June 21. The competition focuses on the transformative impact of yoga on the lives of individuals.

Current Affairs –June 2020

13. DPIIT revised public procurement order to encourage Make in India initiative Department of Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has recently revised the public procurement order to encourage Make in India initiative, with an aim to enhance income and employment generation in the country.

According to the order, DPIIT has prescribed minimum of 60% procurement of local content for the year 2020-21, 70% for the years 2021-23 and 80% for the years 2023- 25. This is applicable to chemicals and petrochemicals. DPIIT has identified 55 chemicals and petrochemicals that are eligible to bid for more than Rs. 5 lakhs of procurement.

14. India and Australia sign nine agreements at virtual bilateral meet India and Australia held their first virtual bilateral summit and concluded following 9 agreements:

 Comprehensive Strategic Partnership: Upgradation of the existing 2+2 dialogue to the Ministerial level.  Mutual Logistics Support Agreement (MLSA) to facilitate reciprocal access to military logistics facilities and more complex joint military exercise.  Joint declaration on ‘Shared Vision for Maritime Cooperation in the Indo- Pacific’.  Recommence suspended talks over the India-Australia Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA).  Australia-India Strategic Research Fund to promote innovative solutions for responding to and treating Covid-19.  Framework arrangement on Cyber and Cyber-enabled critical technology cooperation.  Agreement on agriculture and related activities.  MoU on mining and processing critical and strategic minerals.  Work together to strengthen international institutions.

Current Affairs –June 2020

15. GoI to formulate new STIP (Science, Technology and Innovation) policy The Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India (Office of PSA) and the Department of Science and Technology (DST) have jointly initiated a decentralised, bottom-up, and inclusive process for the formulation of a new and 5th national Science, Technology and Innovation Policy (STIP 2020).

The six-month process involves broad-based consultations with all stakeholders within and beyond the scientific ecosystem of the country. The STIP 2020 formulation process is organised into 4 highly interlinked tracks.

16. Kisan Credit Cards campaign launched for 1.5 crore dairy farmers The Government will provide Kisan Credit Card (KCC) to 1.5 crore dairy farmers belonging to Milk Unions and Milk producing Companies within the next two months (1st June-31st July 2020). It is part of the Prime Minister’s Atma Nirbhar Bharat package for Farmers.

Although the general limit for KCC credit without collateral remains Rs. 1.6 lakh, but the case of farmers whose milk is directly procured by Milk Unions falls under tie up arrangements between the producers and processing units without any intermediaries, and hence, the credit limits without Collateral can be upto Rs.3 lakh.

17. Centre launched schemes to boost electronic manufacturing Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad launched following three incentive schemes with a total outlay of about Rs. 48,000 crore to boost large-scale manufacturing of electronics in the country.  Production Linked Incentive (outlay of nearly Rs. 41,000 crore)  Component Manufacturing Scheme (about Rs. 3,300 crore)  Modified Electronics Manufacturing Clusters (about Rs. 3,800 crore)

With the three new schemes, the government aims to manufacture electronics worth Rs. 8 lakh crore, while generating employment for about 10 lakh people in the next five years.

Current Affairs –June 2020

18. Government launched TULIP portal to provide internships to graduates The Union Government launched The Urban Learning Internship Programme (TULIP) aimed at providing internships to the engineering students in the country under the ‘Smart City’ projects. The TULIP portal has been developed by AICTE.

TULIP will provide opportunities to students in various urban local bodies across the country for development of smart cities. The web based platform can also be used by the interns for obtaining certificate of participation after completion of their internship.

19. CSIR and Atal Innovation Mission sign a Letter of Intent CSIR has signed a Letter of Intent with Atal Innovation Mission to collaborate in areas of mutual interest. Major areas of mutual interest, among others include:

 Supporting world class start-ups through CSIR Incubators under Atal Innovation mission initiatives and jointly work on new models of innovation, including setting up of CSIR Innovation Parks.  Stimulating innovation and research in the MSME industry by CSIR in collaboration with ARISE.  Creating problem solving mind-set across schools in India, through close cooperation between Atal Tinkering Labs and Jigyasa.

20. GoI launched SWADES Scheme The Union Government has launched an initiative 'SWADES - Skilled Workers Arrival Database for Employment Support'. It is aimed for skill mapping exercise of the returning citizens under the Vande Bharat Mission and empower the returning citizens with relevant employment opportunities.

SWADES is a joint initiative of the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Ministry of External Affairs. It aims to create a database of qualified citizens based on their skill sets and experience.

Current Affairs –June 2020

21. Government launched Nagar Van Scheme The Union Government has launched Nagar Van Scheme on the occasion of the World Environment Day. It aims to develop 200 Urban Forests across the country in the next five years. Warje Urban Forest in Pune (Maharashtra) will be considered as a role model for the Scheme.

The finances for the scheme will be paid for by the CAMPA (Compensatory Afforestation Fund (CAF) Act, 2016) funds. The Scheme enforces people’s participation and collaboration between the Forest Department, Municipal bodies, NGOs, Corporates and local citizens.

22. Fit India to launch special films to promote Ek Bharat, Shrestha Bharat Sports Ministry’s flagship programme Fit India united with the Department of School Education and Literacy, to launch a series of special films promoting 10 indigenous sports of India under the Ek Bharat, Shrestha Bharat initiative. The series is aimed at creating awareness about not just the indigenous games but also the culture and heritage of the states to which they belong.

The short films will highlight the origin, progress and other key aspects of each sport. The ten sports to be covered in the series are Kho-kho, Gatka, Kalaripayttu, Mallakhamb, Thang-Ta, Sqay, Kabaddi, Roll Ball, Tug of War and Shooting Ball.

23. ‘#iCommit’ initiative launched on World Environment Day Shri R. K. Singh, the Minister of State (IC) for Power and New & Renewable Energy initiated the ‘#iCommit’ campaign, on the occasion of World Environment Day. The initiative is a clarion call to all stakeholders and individuals to continue moving towards energy efficiency, renewable energy, and sustainability to create a robust and resilient energy system in the future.

The #iCommit initiative can bring together a diverse spectrum of government and private players to build a new energy future for India.” The pre-requisite for that goal is to create a flexible and agile power system.

Current Affairs –June 2020

24. Highways Minister launched campaign on Prevention of Human and Animal Mortality Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari launched national awareness campaign on Prevention of Human and Animal Mortality on Highways. The campaign aims at generating awareness and education for the masses at large towards reducing or eliminating mortality on the roads. He said, ecology and sustainability are most important for human life.

Ministry has requested all agencies to follow the provisions of the manual titled Eco friendly measures to mitigate impacts of linear infrastructure on wildlife issued by Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun.

25. India, Denmark signed MoU for developing cooperation in power sector Ministry of Power, India and Ministry for Energy, Utilities and Climate, Government of Denmark signed MoU for developing cooperation in the power sector. Under the MoU, a Joint Working Group is established. It will be co-chaired by Joint Secretary level officials.

The MoU provides for collaboration in areas like offshore wind, long term energy planning, forecasting, flexibility in the grid, consolidation of grid codes to integrate and operate efficiently variable generation options, flexibility in the power purchase agreements and variability in renewable energy production.

26. Centre approved inauguration of 820 protected monuments under Archaeological Survey of India The Ministry of Culture approved opening of 820 centrally protected monuments under the Archeological Survey of India (ASI) which have places of worship. ASI will ensure that preventive measures as stipulated in the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) to contain the spread of COVID-19 in religious places.

There are 3,691 centrally-protected monuments and archaeological sites maintained by the ASI which were shut from 17th of March in view of COVID-19. ASI will share the list of these 820 monuments to

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the concerned States so that any state with regard to containment and prevention of spread of COVID-19.

27. Highest ever allocation of Rs. 1,01,500 crore made under Mahatma Gandhi NREGS A provision of 1,01,500 crore rupees has been made under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) in 2020-2021. It is the highest ever provision of funds under the programme.

Highlights of the scheme are as follows:  A total of 60.80 crore person days has been generated so far and work has been offered to 6.69 crore persons.  Average number of persons to whom work offered in May 2020 has been 2.51 crore per day.  A total of 10 lakh works have been completed in FY 20-21.  A sustained focus is kept on works related to water conservation, plantation and horticulture.

28. NCERT, Rotary India inked MoU for providing e-learning telecast content The National Council of Educational Research and Training-NCERT and Rotary India signed a MoU for providing e-learning telecast content for class one to 12th class, over all NCERT TV channels.

Under Vidya Daan 2.0, Rotary International will provide the e-content in Hindi language to NCERT for classes I to 12th for all subjects. It will ensure that e-learning reaches children across the country with approved content. The high class material provided over elearning module will be very beneficial to all the school children.

Current Affairs –June 2020

29. JNCASR signed MoU with Breathe Applied Sciences for Conversion of Carbon dioxide to clean fuels Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR) has entered into a MoU with Breathe Applied Sciences for Conversion of Carbon dioxide to clean fuels such as methanol and other useful chemicals on large scale.

Under the agreed terms 300 kilogram of Carbon dioxide will be converted to useful chemicals per day. This will be scaled up to 500 tons after one year. The transfer of technology from the Institute to Breathe Applied Sciences and it's further application on Industrial level will add to the remedial solutions to address environmental issues due to global warming.

30. CBIC launched flagship programme “Turant Customs” Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs launched its flagship programme ‘Turant Customs’, at Bengaluru and Chennai. Importers will now get their goods cleared from Customs after a faceless assessment is done remotely by the Customs officers located outside the port of import. Now, the goods imported at Chennai may be assessed by the Customs officers located at Bengaluru and vice versa, as assigned by the Customs’ automated system.

Turant Customs will benefit the importers by eliminating routine interface with the Customs officers across the country. Turant Customs is a mega reform for the ease of doing business.

31. Union Minister Jitendra Singh launched “COVID BEEP” app for COVID-19 Union Minister Jitendra Singh launched ‘COVID BEEP’ app, India’s first indigenous wireless physiological parameters monitoring system facilitated for COVID-19 affected patients. “COVID BEEP” stands for Continuous Oxygenation & Vital Information Detection Biomed ECIL ESIC Pod.

COVID BEEP will greatly reduce the transmission risk as well as help save resources like personal protective equipment (PPEs). COVID BEEP is developed by

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Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) medical college, Hyderabad in collaboration with Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Hyderabad and the Department of Atomic Energy.

32. Government launched 'AarogyaPath' portal The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has launched a web-based solution for the healthcare supply chain portal ''Aarogyapath''. It will provide real-time availability of critical healthcare supplies for manufacturers, suppliers and customers.

The vision of this initiative is to set up an information management and forecasting database platform at national level. It will capture demand and supply scenarios for key healthcare needs items. It will also help remove supply chain bottlenecks during the Covid-19 pandemic.

33. Central Railway launched Robotic ‘CAPTAIN ARJUN’ Indian Railways' Central Railway zone has launched an AI enabled robot 'Captain Arjun': (Always be Responsible and Just Use to be Nice). It will intensify the screening and surveillance of railway passengers and railway staff. This Robot is launched to screen passengers, while they board trains and keep a watch on anti-social elements.

Captain ARJUN is equipped with a motion sensor, one PTZ camera and one Dome Camera. Captain ARJUN does thermal screening and records the temperature in a digital display panel. It also has an inbuilt siren and motion activated spotlight.

34. NHAI goes digital with cloud based and AI powered Big Data Analytics National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) has gone fully digital, with the launch of unique cloud based and Artificial Intelligence powered Big Data Analytics platform. It is first in its league to integrate Data Lake and Project Management Software to ensure transparency, speed and quick decision making in the process.

Under the fully digitalised set up, entire project management work flow of NHAI is transformed from manual to online portal. The complete project execution operations including workflow with time lines and mechanism have been configured digitally.

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35. Union Agriculture Minister launched 'Sahakar Mitra' Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar launched “Sahakar Mitra” Internship Programme to provide paid internship to youth and ensure availability of assured project loans to young cooperators. The scheme is an initiative by National Co-operative Development Corporation (NCDC), the cooperative sector development finance organisation.

Sahakar Mitra scheme is expected to assist cooperative institutions access new and innovative ideas of young professionals while the interns gain experience of working in the field. Each intern will get financial support over a 4 months internship period.

36. Government allocated Rs. 4,000 crore to states under ‘Per Drop More Crop’ The government has allocated Rs. 4,000 crore to states under ‘Per Drop More Crop’ component of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY- PDMC) for the year 2020-21. Further, Micro Irrigation Fund corpus of Rs. 5,000 crore has been created with NABARD.

The PMKSY-PDMC focuses on enhancing water use efficiency at farm level through Micro Irrigation technologies viz. Drip and Sprinkler irrigation systems. It is implemented by the Department of Agriculture Co-operation and Farmers’ Welfare. 37. Customs duty hiked on bamboo imports from 10% to 25% Union Government has hiked Customs duty on bamboo imports by agarbatti manufacturers from 10% to 25% with immediate effect. The decision has been taken to encourage use of domestic bamboo under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat scheme. The 25% customs duty rate shall now uniformly apply to any import of bamboo, including by traders.

The uniform rate will help in avoiding misuse and rate-related disputes. The measure is seen to benefit farmers and MSME agarbatti manufacturers.

Current Affairs –June 2020

38. TCS iON united with National Skill Development Corporation TCS iON™, a strategic unit of Tata Consultancy Services partnered with the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) to provide its training partners access to the TCS iON Digital Glass Room, enabling them to move classroom vocational skills training to online mode for millions of students across the country.

The new partnership strengthens NSDC’s online content aggregation platform - eSkill India. The TCS iON Digital Glass Room will enable trainers to deliver lectures, create and share content. The TCS iON Digital Glass Room is a web-based digital education platform.

39. Prime Minister launched Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyaan in six states Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a massive rural public works scheme, the Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyaan, worth Rs. 50,000 crore, through video conference from Telihar village in Khagaria district of Bihar. The programme will run for 125 days and will cover 116 districts across Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Jharkhand and Odisha.

The government has identified 25 different types of works to provide jobs to migrant workers and create infrastructure in the rural regions of the country. The scheme will be a coordinated effort between 12 different ministries.

40. Government signed 750 million US dollar agreement with AIIB The Union Government and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) signed a 750 million US dollar 'COVID-19 Active Response and Expenditure Support Programme” to assist India to strengthen its response to the adverse impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on poor and vulnerable households. This is the first ever budgetary support programme from the AIIB to India.

Current Affairs –June 2020

AIIB had earlier approved 500 million dollar loan for the COVID-19 Emergency Response and Health Systems Preparedness Project. AIIB is a multilateral development bank with a mission to improve social and economic outcomes in Asia.

41. Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry signed MoU with SIDBI Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry signed a MoU with Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) to engage SIDBI as the implementation agency for PM Street Vendor’s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi). PM SVANidhi aims to provde affordable Working Capital loan to street vendors to resume their livelihoods that have been adversely affected due to Covid-19 lockdown.

This scheme targets to benefit over 50 lakh Street Vendors. Under the Scheme, the vendors can avail a working capital loan of up to Rs. 10,000, which is repayable in monthly installments in the tenure of one year.

42. India’s first gas exchange launched India launched its first gas exchange - the Indian Gas Exchange (IGX). It is the first nationwide online delivery-based gas trading platform. IGX will be a delivery-based trading platform for delivery of natural Gas.

IGX allows buyers and sellers of natural gas to trade both in the spot market and in the forward market for imported natural gas across three hubs — Dahej and Hazira in Gujarat, and Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh. However, domestically produced natural gas will not be sold on the gas exchange. The price of domestically produced natural gas is decided by the government.

43. India joins Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI) India joined the league of leading economies including USA, UK, EU, Australia, Canada, France and others to launch the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI or Gee-Pay). GPAI is an international and multistakeholder initiative to guide the responsible development and use of Artificial Intelligence.

By joining GPAI as a founding member, India will actively participate in the global development of Artificial Intelligence,

Current Affairs –June 2020

leveraging its experience around use of digital technologies for inclusive growth.

44. CBIC launched e-Office application Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Custom (CBIC) launched the e-Office application in over 500 CGST and Customs offices. With this, CBIC aims to improve governance by automating the internal processing and handling files. It provides a ‘Faceless, Contactless and Paperless’ indirect Tax administration.

The e-Office initiative helps online file-related work, starting from receiving and marking dak, operating a file, preparing a draft letter, its approval/signature and dispatch of the signed letter. It was launched by CBIC Chairman M Ajit Kumar and developed by the National Informatics Centre (NIC).

45. Government launched feedback call centres on Covid public grievances Union Minister of State for Personnel, PG and Pensions Dr. Jitendra Singh launched the “Feedback Call Centres on Public Grievances”. The Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances, DARPG, has in collaboration with BSNL operationalised Feed Back Call Centers in Bhubaneshwar, Guwhati, Jamshedpur, Vadodara, Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Ajmer, Guntur, Coimbatore and Guntakal with 1406 call centre operators.

Feedback call-centres will operate in Hindi, English, Gujarati, Marathi, Punjabi, Kannada, Konkani, Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Oriya, Bengali, Assamese and Rajasthani.

46. Trustees of PM CARES fund appoints SARC & Associates as its auditor Trustees of the Prime Minister’s Citizens Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations (PM CARES) Fund have appointed SARC & Associates, New Delhi as auditor of the fund for three years. The PM CARES fund is administered on an honorary basis by a joint secretary (administration) in the Prime Minister’s Office who is secretary to the fund.

Current Affairs –June 2020

So far, Rs. 3,100 crore has been allocated from the fund — Rs. 2,000 crore for supply of 50,000 ‘Made in India’ ventilators to government hospitals, Rs. 1,000 crore for the care of migrant labourers and Rs. 100 crore for vaccine development.

47. KVIC launched project to produce Neera and Palmgur The Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) has rolled out a unique project to produce Neera and Palmgur. The project that aims at promoting Neera as a substitute to soft drinks, while also creating self- employment to Adivasis and traditional trappers was launched at Dahanu in Palghar district of Maharashtra.

Neera, extracted from the palm trees before sunrise, is a nutrient-rich health drink consumed in many Indian states. KVIC distributed tool kits for extraction of Neera and making palmgur to 200 local artisans.

48. Union Health Minister launched India’s 1st Mobile Lab for COVID-19 Health and Family Welfare Minister, Dr. Harsh Vardhan launched India’s first mobile lab for COVID-19 testing to promote last mile testing access in rural India. The Infectious Disease Diag Lab (I-LAB) is supported by Department of Biotechnology under the Covid command strategy.

This mobile lab will be deployed in the interior, inaccessible parts of the country. I- LAB has the capability to perform 25 RT-PCR and 300 ELISA test per day. I-Lab is capable of conducting both COVID-19 and non-COVID tests and give results the same day.

49. ICMR approved user-friendly PPEs ‘NavRakshak’ Indian Council of Medical Research approved user-friendly personal protective equipments (PPEs) named as ‘NavRakshak’. NavRakshak, developed by a naval doctor, meets all COVID protocols. The commercial production of user- friendly PPE named NavRakshak will begin by July 2020.

Personal protective equipment is protective clothing, helmets, goggles, or other garments or equipment designed to protect the wearer's body from injury or infection. It helps in preventing transmission of the deadly virus.

Current Affairs –June 2020

50. SATYABHAMA Portal launched for Atma Nirbhar Bharat in mining sector Shri Pralhad Joshi, Union Minister for Coal, Mines and Parliamentary Affairs launched SATYABHAMA (Science and Technology Yojana for Aatma Nirbhar Bharat in Mining Advancement) Portal for mineral and mining sector. The Portal is integrated with NGO Darpan Portal of NITI Aayog.

SATYABHAMA Portal allows online submission of project proposals along with monitoring of the projects and utilisation of funds / grants. The researchers can also submit progress reports and Final Technical Reports of the projects in the electronic format in the portal. The SATYABHAMA Portal can be accessed at research.mines.gov.in.

51. Mansukh Mandaviya inaugurated India's largest & first Virtual Healthcare & Hygiene EXPO 2020 Union State Minister for Chemicals and Fertilizers Mansukh Mandaviya inaugurated one of India's largest and first Virtual Healthcare and Hygiene EXPO 2020. The unique exhibition which aims to give a boost to such health and hygiene endeavours was organised by FICCI.

Health, Hygiene and Sanitation includes providing toilets for every household, Ayushman Bharat , to cover 10 crore family for healthcare, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan and Suvidha Sanitary Napkin under which a sanitary napkin is provided for just 1 rupee each.

52. NITI Aayog and ITF launched Decarbonizing Transport Project in India NITI Aayog and the International Transport Forum (ITF) of OECD jointly launched the ‘Decarbonizing Transport in Emerging Economies’ (DTEE) project in India. The five- year project will help India develop a pathway towards a low-carbon transport system through the development of modelling tools and policy scenarios.

India’s transport CO2 emissions are likely to increase by almost 6% annually to 2030. Out of the total carbon dioxide emissions in India, 13% come from the transport sector. NITI Aayog has been at the helm for the promotion

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of electric vehicles and sustainable mobility through its ‘National Mission on Transformative Mobility and Battery Storage’.

53. Cabinet approved Extension of tenure of the OBC Sub Categorisation Commission The Union Cabinet has approved the extension of the term of the Commission to examine the issue of Sub-categorisation of Other Backward Classes, by 6 months i.e. upto 31.1.2021. The Commission, headed by Justice (Retd.) Smt. G. Rohini, commenced functioning on 11th October, 2017.

The Communities in the existing list of OBCs, which have not been able to get any major benefit of the scheme of reservation for OBCs, for appointment in Central Government posts and for admission in Central Government Educational Institutions, are expected to be benefitted upon implementation of the recommendations of the Commission.

54. Cabinet approved private sector participation in Space sector The Union Cabinet announced the formation of the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) to promote the participation of private industries in space activities, including planetary exploration missions. The 'New Space India Limited (NSIL), a PSU under the Department of Space, will endeavour to re-orient space activities from a 'supply driven' model to a 'demand driven' model.

IN-SPACe will act as an arm of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). Indian industry accounts for a mere 3% in the rising $360-billion global space market. Rockets and satellite launch accounts for just 2% of it.

55. Cabinet approved establishment of Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund The Union Cabinet approved setting up of Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF) worth Rs. 15,000 crore. The eligible beneficiaries under the Scheme would be Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), MSMEs and individual entrepreneur with minimum 10% margin money contribution. The balance 90% would be the loan component through scheduled banks.

The government will provide 3% interest subvention to eligible beneficiaries. There will be two years moratorium period for

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principal loan amount and six years repayment period thereafter. It would also set up Credit Guarantee Fund of Rs. 750 crore to be managed by NABARD.

56. Cabinet approved additional investment of $121 million by ONGC Videsh Ltd. in Myanmar The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved additional investment of US$ 121.27 million (about Rs.909 crore) by ONGC Videsh Ltd (OVL) towards further development of blocks A-1 and A-3 Blocks of Shwe oil & gas project in Myanmar. ONGC Videsh Ltd. (OVL) has been associated with exploration and development of Shwe project in Myanmar since 2002.

OVL has invested US$ 722 million till 31st March 2019 in this project. The Project has been generating positive cash flows since FY 2014-15.

57. France announced to give 200 million euros as aid to India France and India signed an agreement committing 200 million euros to increase the state and central governments' capacities to support India's most vulnerable people in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis. The funds are allocated by Agence Française de Développement (AFD).

The programme also seeks to protect essential frontline workers of the pandemic, including those in healthcare, sanitation, and security, by providing them with health insurance. The AFD funds and supports projects in 115 countries aimed at creating a fairer and more sustainable world.

58. EXIM Bank extends USD 20.10 Line of Credit to Nicaragua Export-Import Bank of India [Exim Bank] has, on behalf of the Government of India, extended Line of Credit [LOC] of USD 20.10 million for reconstruction of Aldo Chavarria Hospital, to the Government of the Republic of Nicaragua. With this, EXIM has extended total of 4 LOC to Nicaragua taking the total value of LOCs to USD 87.63 million.

Exim Bank has now in place 261 LOCs, covering 62 countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the CIS, with credit commitments of around USD 25.70 billion, available for financing exports from India.

Current Affairs –June 2020

59. India attends 32nd FATF group meeting online India attended the virtual 32nd special Eurasian Group on Combating Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism (EAG) plenary meeting. The EAG is a regional body comprising nine countries: India, Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Belarus. It is an associate member of the FATF.

The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) is the global money laundering and terrorist financing watchdog. As at 21 February 2020, only two countries were on the FATF blacklist: North Korea and Iran.

60. Government launched web portal of Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyaan The government launched the web portal of the Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyaan to monitor the implementation of the employment generation scheme and provide scheme- related information to the people. The GKRA is the massive employment generation-cum- rural infrastructure creation programme of the government.

The objective of GKRA is to provide employment to return migrant workers at their native places because of the situation arising out of the Covid-19 pandemic. The programme with an outlay of Rs. 50,000 crore will be implemented in 116 districts in six states on mission mode for the next four months.

61. Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan launched ‘eBloodServices’ mobile App Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan launched the ‘eBloodServices’ mobile App. This application is developed by the E- Raktkosh team of Centre for Development of Advanced Computing under the Digital India scheme in partnership with the Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS).

Through this App, four units of blood can be requisitioned at a time and the blood bank will wait for as long as 12 hours for the person to collect it. Once the request is placed through the app, the requisite units become visible to IRCS, NHQ blood bank in its E-Raktkosh dashboard.

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62. Best performing states & UTs in National TB Elimination Program 2019 According to the annual TB Report 2020, Nagaland and Tripura have been awarded for being the best performing small states with less than 50 lakh population under National TB elimination programme in the year 2019. Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh were awarded as the top-three best performing States with more than 50 lakh population.

Dadar & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu were chosen as the best performers in the category of Union Territory. India is committed to eliminating tuberculosis from the country by 2025.

63. MSDE-IBM jointly launched Free Digital Learning Platform “Skills Build Reignite” The Directorate General of Training (DGT) of the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE) in partnership with IBM has introduced the SkillsBuild Reignite and the SkillsBuild Innovation Camp.

The SkillsBuild Reignite tends to provide job seekers and entrepreneurs, with access to free online coursework and mentoring support designed to help them reinvent their careers and businesses. The SkillsBuild Innovation camp is a ten week program, which supports 100 hours of structured learning to learners, who are interested in gaining hands-on project experience to enhance learning.

64. Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh inaugurated Devika and Puneja Bridges Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh inaugurated two important Bridges - Devika and Puneja in Udhampur and Doda districts respectively in Jammu and Kashmir. The 10-meter-long Devika Bridge is built at a cost of Rs. 75 lakhs.

The 50-meter-long Puneja Bridge was built at a cost of Rs. 4 Crore on the Bhaderwah- Basholi-Pathankot national highway under construction. Both the bridges were constructed by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO).

Current Affairs –June 2020

65. NITI Aayog launched behavior change campaign, ‘Navigating the New Normal’ NITI Aayog, in partnership with Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), Centre for Social and Behavioural Change (CSBC), Ashoka University, and the Ministries of Health and WCD, launched a behaviour change campaign called ‘Navigating the New Normal’, and its website.

The campaign focusses on Covid-safe behaviours, especially wearing masks, during the ‘Unlock’ phase of the ongoing pandemic. The campaign has two parts –  a web portal, http://www.covidthenewnormal.com/, containing resources informed by behavioral science  media campaign focussed on the wearing of masks.

Persons in News Current Affairs –June 2020

1. R Sreelekha appointed as Kerala's first woman DGP R Sreelekha became the first woman Director General of Police in Kerala as she assumed charge as the new head of the Fire and Rescue Services on June 1. Prior to the promotion, she was the State Transport Commissioner.

A 1988 batch IPS officer, Sreelekha became the first woman Superintendent of Police in Kerala in 1991. She is a recipient of the president’s police medal for her work with the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau.

2. Adesh Kumar Gupta replaced Manoj Tiwari as Delhi BJP Chief The BJP has appointed Adesh Kumar Gupta, a sitting councilor and former mayor of North Delhi, as its Delhi Unit Chief. Mr Gupta replaced Manoj Tiwari. Manoj was appointed Delhi BJP president in November 2016.

Gupta had been a part of ABVP since 1987. He was involved with BJP’s Yuva Morcha from 2004 to 2007. The BJP also named former Union Minister Vishnu Deo Sai as its Chhattisgarh State President and S. Tikendra Singh as its Manipur State Chief.

3. 13-year-old Madurai girl appointed Goodwill Ambassador of UNADAP In Tamil Nadu, a thirteen-year old Madurai girl Nethra was appointed as the Goodwill Ambassador of the United Nations Association for Development and Peace, the UNADAP. It was in recognition of her role in feeding the poor during the COVID-19 lockdown by her father, a hairdresser by profession.

Nethra would be given the opportunity to speak, on behalf of UNADAP, at the UN Civil Society (UN CSO) conferences in New York and in Geneva, addressing Civil Society forums and conferences. UNADAP is an agency with Special Consultative Status accredited under the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).

Current Affairs –June 2020

4. Kiran Mazumdar Shaw won EY World Entrepreneur of the year 2020 Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, Executive Chairperson of Biocon, was named EY World Entrepreneur of the Year 2020 for her contribution in improving universal access to affordable life- saving medicine and transforming the world in one of its kind virtual entrepreneurship award ceremony. She became first woman entrepreneur from India and the third Indian to win it. She is the second woman worldwide to hold this title.

EY World Entrepreneur of the Year 2020 was named one among the distinguished list of 46 EOY country award winners from 41 countries and territories. Mazumdar-Shaw has previously won the EY Best Entrepreneur: Healthcare & Life Sciences Award in 2002.

5. IIFL Finance signed Rohit Sharma as brand ambassador India’s Non-Banking Finance Companies, India Infoline Finance Limited (IIFL) signed Rohit Sharma as its first-ever brand ambassador for its public service message campaign. Rohit Sharma is known for his successful captaincy and clear approach.

IIFL Finance is one of India’s leading Non- Banking Finance Companies, with over Rs. 36,000 crore of assets under management. The company has launched 30-second message titled “Rohit Sharma Ki Seedhi Baat”, under its first-ever campaign #SeedhiBaat with Rohit Sharma, which is a public service message advising people on safety guidelines and rules to follow during lockdown to fight Covid-19 outbreak.

6. Shobha Sekhar conferred with “Medal of the Order of Australia” Shobha Sekhar, founder of Kalakruthi, music organisation in Australia, was honored with the “Medal of the Order of Australia” by the Governor General and Chancellor of the Order of Australia for her service to the community and the country. ShobhaSekhar is Melbourne- based artist who runs Kalakruthi music organisation in Australia. Kalakruthi is a School where Indian Classical Vocal and andVeena is taught.

The medal of the order of Australia recognises and celebrates outstanding Australians, ordinary people, who do extraordinary things for their local community and for Australia.

Current Affairs –June 2020

7. Kathy Sullivan becomes first person to walk in space and reach ocean's deepest point Former NASA astronaut Kathy Sullivan became the first woman to reach Challenger Deep, the deepest point in the ocean. She was also the first American woman to complete a spacewalk over 36 years ago. With the latest achievement, she has become the first human to have done both.

Sullivan completed a nearly seven-mile dive to Challenger Deep in the Mariana Trench. Only eight people have ever reached Challenger Deep, including "Titanic" director James Cameron.

8. Anmol Narang becomes first observant Sikh to graduate from United States Military Academy Second Lieutenant Anmol Narang became the first observant Sikh to graduate from the prestigious United States Military Academy. Narang will complete her Basic Officer Leadership Course at Fort Sill in Lawton, Oklahoma.

In 1987, the US Congress passed a law that prohibited Sikhs and several other religious communities from maintaining their articles of faith while in the military. The army changed its accommodation policy in 2017.

9. Sourav Ganguly and Sunil Chhetri signed in as brand ambassadors of JSW Cement JSW Cement has roped in former cricketer and current president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Sourav Ganguly as well as captain of the Indian national football team and Bengaluru FC, Sunil Chhetri as its brand ambassadors. Ganguly and Chhetri will also feature in the company's new multi-media marketing campaign ‘Leader’s Choice’.

JSW Cement Ltd. is part of the JSW Group Indian conglomerate with interests in Steel, Energy, Infrastructure, Cement, Ventures and Paints. JSW entered the cement market in 2009.

Current Affairs –June 2020

10. Indian-American Scientist Dr Sethuraman Panchanathan elected as Director of the NSF Indian-American scientist Dr Sethuraman Panchanathan was elected as the Director of National Science Foundation (NSF). NSF is the top American science funding body supporting fundamental research in non-medical fields of science and engineering. He succeeded Dr. France Córdova.

Dr Panchanathan currently leads the knowledge enterprise development at Arizona State University (ASU) and was instrumental in founding the Biomedical Informatics Department at ASU. Panchanathan is a Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors (NAI), and a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering.

11. Priyanka Chopra & Anurag Kashyap named among ambassadors at TIFF 2020 Actress Priyanka Chopra and filmmaker Anurag Kashyap are among the 50 celebrated filmmakers and actors invited as the ambassadors of Toronto International Film Festival 2020. The festival is scheduled to run from September 10 to September 19.

TIFF has opted for digital screenings and virtual red carpets for the first time due to the coronavirus pandemic. The 45th edition of the festival plans to screen 50 films during its first five days.

12. NASA headquarters to be renamed for Mary W. Jackson NASA headquarters in Washington, D.C has been named after Mary W. Jackson, the first African American female engineer at NASA. Mary W. Jackson was part of a group of very important women who helped NASA succeed in getting American astronauts into space. In 2019, she was posthumously awarded the Congressional Gold Medal.

NASA facilities across the country are named after people who dedicated their lives to push the frontiers of the aerospace industry. Over the years, NASA has worked to honor the work of these Hidden Figures in various ways.

Current Affairs –June 2020

13. Vini Mahajan became the first woman Chief Secretary of Punjab 1987-batch IAS officer, Vini Mahajan became the first woman bureaucrat in the history of Punjab to be elevated to the top post of the state’s Chief Secretary. She replaced Karan Avtar Singh. Vini Mahajan is wife of state DGP Dinkar Gupta and it is also the first time in Punjab’s history that both the civil and police administrations in the state are headed by an IAS-IPS couple.

Mahajan has served as additional Chief Secretary, Investment Promotion, Industries & Commerce, IT and Governance Reforms and Public Grievances. She had also participated in the global response through the G-20 mechanism.

Places in News Current Affairs –June 2020

1. Gairsain declared as Summer Capital of Uttarakhand The Chief Minister of Uttarakhand Trivendra Singh Rawat announced Bhararisen (Garsain) as the summer capital of the state. Gairsain is a town and Nagar Panchayat in Chamoli district and is situated at the eastern edge of the vast Dudhatoli mountain range, located almost at the centre of the state.

The announcement of summer capital has been done in order to expedite development of the hilly areas. Uttarakhand was carved out as a separate state from Uttar Pradesh on November 9, 2000.

2. Petroleum major BP to set up major new global business services centre in PUNE British Petroleum’s (BP) India has announced to set up a global business service centre in Pune. The new centre will employ around 2000 people. The GBS Centre is expected to begin operations by January 2021 and will provide business processing and advanced analytics capabilities in support of BP businesses worldwide.

BP is present in India in the lubricants, exploration and production businesses and also has a joint venture with Reliance Industries. BP currently employs 7,500 people in India.

3. Mumbai launched flood warning system called iFLOWS The Ministry of Earth Sciences in coordination with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has developed a new integrated flood warning system (iFLOWS) for Mumbai. It will be able to relay alerts of possible flood-prone areas anywhere between six to 72 hours in advance.

Mumbai is only the second city in the country after Chennai to get this system. The system has provisions to capture the urban drainage within the city and predict the areas of flooding.

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4. 500-year old Temple submerged in Mahanadi found A temple believed to be submerged during floods in 1933, was found in the Mahanadi River in Odisha. It is 500 years old. Archaeologists survey team of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) unveiled that over a hundred years ago, an entire village and the temple were submerged at Nayagarh.

The temple of late 15th or early 16th century with height of 55 to 60 feet was found in the mid-river near Baideswar in the Padmavati area in Cuttack.

5. Cabinet approved declaration of Kushinagar Airport in Uttar Pradesh as an International Airport The Union Cabinet has given its approval for declaration of Kushinagar Airport in Uttar Pradesh as an International Airport. Kushinagar Airport is located in the vicinity of several Buddhist Cultural Sites like Sravasti, Kapilvastu, Lumbini. Kushinagar itself is a major Buddhist Cultural Site.

The declaration as an “International Airport” will offer improved connectivity, wider choice of competitive costs to the air-travellers. It will result in boosting of domestic/international tourism and economic development of the regions. Kushinagar is located in the north-eastern part of Uttar Pradesh.

6. Agra-based company bagged NRDC license for manufacturing NavRakshak PPEs The National Research Development Cooperation (NRDC) has signed a technology licensing agreement for the manufacturing know-how of a PPE Suit named NavRakshak with an Agra-based apparel manufacturing entity, the Indian Garment Company. This company is also a registered micro enterprise under the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Act.

NavRakshak PPE has been developed principally by Dr. Arnab Ghosh, a Naval Doctor. It incorporates superior quality breathable fabric to make the PPE suit. It is cost- effective. The fabric, suit and seam have been found to meet the synthetic blood penetration resistance criteria comfortably.

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7. Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan inaugurated PADC at Paradip, Odisha Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik virtually inaugurated Product Application and Development Centre (PADC) in Paradip. The PADC has been set up by Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL) on a five-acre of land with a capital expenditure of Rs. 43 crore.

There are four laboratories in PADC namely Polymer Processing Lab, Analytical Testing Lab, Chemical Analysis Lab and Characterisation Lab. PADC will act as incubation centre for new entrepreneur development in and around Odisha in the field of Plastics. It will render assistance to customers and investors in product and application development for polymer finished products.

8. Indigenous AWMS & Drishti Transmissometers installed at Bangalore Airport Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru (BLR Airport) has become the first Airport in the Country to install indigenous AWMS technology, developed by Bengaluru-based CSIR-National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL), at both ends of the new runway. It was installled by Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) – operator of BLR Airport.

BLR Airport has installed four Drishti Transmissometers – also developed by NAL, in association with the Indian Metrological Department (IMD) – to measure the Runway Visibility Range (RVR).

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1. J&K Government approved Media Policy The Union Territory administration of Jammu and Kashmir has approved a Media Policy for the current year. The policy aims to create a sustained narrative on the functioning of the Government in media.

The new Media Policy includes institution of Media awards to be given each year to two outstanding media or communication professionals. It also aims to thwart misinformation, fake news and develop a mechanism that will raise alarms against any attempt to use media to vitiate public peace, sovereignty and integrity of the country.

2. Centre approved 175 crore rupees towards Jal Jeevan Mission in Meghalaya Centre has approved Rs. 175 crore for implementation of Jal jeevan mission in Meghalaya during 2020-21. Jal Jeevan Mission was launched by Union Government to provide Functional Household Tap Connection to every rural household by 2024. Meghalaya proposed 100% tap connections to all the households by December, 2022.

The estimated outlay of JJM is Rs. 3.60 Lakh Crore with Central and State share of Rs. 2.08 Lakh Crore and Rs. 1.52 Lakh Crore respectively.

3. Government approved Rs. 255 crore to AP for Jal Jeevan Mission The Union Government has approved Rs. 255 crore towards implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) in 2020-21 in Arunachal Pradesh. Ministry of Jal Shakti has approved the Annual Action Plan of Arunachal Pradesh to achieve 100% household tap connections in the state by March, 2023.

Out of 2.18 lakh total rural households, the state is planning to provide 77,000 tap connections in 2020-21. Jal Jeevan Mission was announced by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2019 to provide tap water connections to 18 Crore rural households of the country by the year 2024.

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4. Centre approved Rs. 812 crore rupees towards Jal Jeevan Mission in Odisha The Union Government has approved Rs. 812 crore for implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission in Odisha during 2020-21. Out of 81 lakh rural households in Odisha, State Government has planned to provide over 16 lakh household connections in 2020-21.

The state is planning 100% household tap connections by the year 2024. Jal Jeevan Mission was announced by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2019 to provide tap water connections to 18 Crore rural households of the country by the year 2024.

5. Government approved Rs. 445 crore towards Jal Jeevan Mission to Chhatisgarh The Union Government has approved Rs. 445 Crore for implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission in the state of Chhattisgarh in 2020- 21. Chhattisgarh has planned to have 100% Functional Tap Water Connection (FHTC) by 2023-24.

Jal Jeevan Mission is launched under the Ministry of Jal Shakti. It is aimed to provide adequate potable drinking water of prescribed quality on regular and long-term basis to every rural household of the country by the 2024.

6. Government approved Rs. 572 Cr implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission in Jharkhand Union Government approved Rs. 572 Crore for implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission in Jharkhand in 2020-21. In 2020-21, the State is planning to enable 12 lakh households with tap water connections and 100% household coverage by 2023-24.

The Ministry of Jal Shakti has been working with the States in designing a roadmap to implement Jal Jeevan Mission, which aims to provide 55 litres of water per person per day to every rural household of the country by 2024.

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7. Madhya Pradesh started plantation drive named "Thank Mom" In Madhya Pradesh, a plantation drive named "Thank Mom" has been started on the premises of Social Justice and Disabled Welfare Directorate on World Environment Day. All the plants, which are planted during this period are being fitted with a plaque in the name of the mother of each employee.

Online and offline programs were organised in all the districts on the theme of 'Time for Nature', focused on conservation of biodiversity across the state.

8. Kerala's free internet project to be commissioned in December The Kerala government has announced that its ambitious Kerala Fibre Optic Network (K- FON) project would be rolled out by December 2020. The project aims to provide internet connections free of cost to 20 lakh poor families and at subsidised rates to others.

The total cost of the project is estimated at Rs 1500 crore. Kerala is the only state in India to have declared Internet access as a basic right for every citizen just like food, education and water.

9. Chhattisgarh government launched ‘Spandan Campaign’ The Chhattisgarh government has launched the Spandan Campaign to contain incidents of suicide and fratricide involving police personnel. A total of 50 police personnel, including personnel of paramilitary forces, committed suicide in Chhattisgarh over the past two years.

Figures released by the Chhattisgarh government in February showed 22 police personnel committed suicide in 2018, while the toll was 26 in 2019. Two personnel have committed suicide till February this year.

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10. Tamil Nadu Government formed Field Support Team against Covid 19 As COVID-19 count in Chennai swells every day to a new high, the Tamil Nadu Government has formed Field Support Team for five cities namely Chennai, Coimbatore, Tiruppur, Madurai and Salem as part of the precautionary measures against COVID-19.

The team of 5 ministers each is comprised of senior IAS and IPS officials from local bodies and Health and Family Welfare Department. They will oversee the co-ordination and relief works being done by the city civic body. The team will ensure the management of containment zones. The Tamil Nadu state government had already constituted 12 coordination teams and Zonal Special Task Teams.

11. World Bank granted 1,950 crore loans to West Bengal The World Bank loaned 1,950 crore rupees to the West Bengal Government for tackling COVID situation and developmental work in the State. The funds of amount 1,100 crore rupees will be used for creating Industrial infrastructures and remaining 850 crore rupeeshave been allocated for spending on various Social-Welfare schemes.

The social welfare schemes such as animal welfare, backward classes schemes, child schemes, disabled scheme etc. The World Bank is an international financial institution that provides loans and grants to the governments of poorer countries for the purpose of pursuing capital projects.

12. Manipur CM N. Biren Singh inaugurated “Plant Health Clinic” With an aim to boost economic growth of Manipur through agriculture and horticulture, Chief Minister N. Biren Singh inaugurated a Plant Health Clinic at the Directorate of Horticulture and Soil Conservation, Imphal. Chief Minister also launched a mobile soil testing laboratory van.

The initiative taken up by the department to set up such a plant clinic will provide plant health diagnostic services to farmers and restrict the usage of chemical fertilisers during the cultivation. Various awareness campaigns will also be conducted to check the availability of such clinic in Manipur among the farmers.

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13. Andhra Pradesh launched online waste exchange website “APEMC” Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy launched online waste exchange website of Andhra Pradesh Environment Management Corporation (APEMC) on the occasion of World Environment Day 2020. The website seeks to protect environment by covering 100% safe disposal of toxic waste, proper tracking, scrutiny as well as audit of waste.

APEMC website will actively promote 6 ‘R’s – Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Refurbish, Redesign and Remanufacture. It will make the waste management sector/market more organised. The APEMC works in co-ordination with Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board (APPCB).

14. Rajasthan Government launched “Raj Kaushal Portal” Rajasthan Chief Minister Gehlot launched “Raj Kaushal Portal” and “Online Shramik Employment Exchange”. The portal will provide employment opportunities to migrated workers and hence, acts as a bridge between industry and labourers. It is a kind of online Rajasthan Labor Employment Exchange.

The portal is developed by the department of Information and Technology (IT) and Rajasthan Skill & Livelihoods Development Corporation (RSLDC). Labors can register for employment through SSO, E-mitra and RajKaushal Portal.

15. Madhya Pradesh launched urban street vendor welfare programme Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched Street Vendor Registration Portal http://www.mpurban.gov.in/ and “Mukhyamantri Shahri Path Vyavsayi Utthan Yojana” and transferred Rs. 300 crore to urban local bodies.

Under this schemes, small businessmen or vendors will be given Rs. 10,000 in the form of working capital. It will benefit state's urban businessmen. Prior to this, arounf 1,500 crore rupees were transferred to 22,000 gram panchayats for development purpose.

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16. Maharashtra developed 'Coro-bot' to reduce physical contact with COVID-19 patients A 23-year old, Instrumentation Engineer named Pratik Tirodkar, from Thane district in Maharashtra, developed 'Coro-bot', a robot which would cut away the requirement of physical contact of nurses and ward boys with the patient. Corobot delivers food, water and medicines to Corona patients and can interact with them by using camera.

Pratik and his team has created a special app to operate this robot from any location in the world based on the idea of Internet of Things (IoT). This is a first anywhere in the world that this technique is being deployed in the medical field.

17. Punjab launched mobile App- ‘Ghar Ghar Nigrani’ In a first-of-its-kind initiative aimed at checking the community spread of Covid-19, Punjab government has launched a mobile based app - ‘Ghar Ghar Nigrani’. The initiative is aimed to undertake house to house surveillance in the state, till the elimination of the pandemic.

The entire rural and urban population of Punjab above 30 years of age shall be surveyed as part of the drive. This would be an ongoing process till the containment of COVID.

18. Uttar Pradesh government decided to adopt scheme of Flatted Factory Model The Uttar Pradesh State Government has decided to adopt the scheme of Flatted Factory Model, which will ensure easy availability of land for industries, and in turn, generate employment. Flatted factories means multi-storeyed buildings in which multiple non-polluting units can operate.

The new policy will allow the owner of an industrial land of at least five acres to develop one-fourth of it as flatted factory. The model can be adopted only for non-polluting manufacturing unit permitted by industrial

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development authority like manufacturing of readymade garments, handicrafts.

19. Government approved Rs. 1829 Crore for implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission in Maharashtra The Union Government has approved funding of Rs. 1,829 crore for the effective implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission in Maharashtra for 2020-21. Maharashtra plans to provide tap connections to 31.30 lakh households in 2020-21. The state has also planned for retrofitting and augmentation of existing 8,268 piped water supply schemes.

Jal Jeevan Mission is a flagship programme launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi last year. It aims to provide tap water supply to all rural households by 2024.

20. One Nation, One Ration Card scheme formally launched in Madhya Pradesh One Nation, One Ration Card scheme was formally launched in the state of Madhya Pradesh. The scheme has facilitated all the eligible families under the National Food Security Act to get ration from any fair price shop in their vicinity on the basis of biometrics.

This scheme will help the migrant labourers of the state working in other states in getting ration conveniently. The eligible families of Madhya Pradesh will be able to get ration in 21 states including Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Kerala, Maharashtra, Tripura and Sikkim.

21. Government approved Rs. 1,280 Crore for implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission in Madhya Pradesh The Union Government has approved funding of Rs. 1,280 crore for the effective implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission in Madhya Pradesh for 2020-21. MP plans to provide tap connections to 26.27 lakh households in 2020-21. Out of 1.21 Crore rural households in the State, 13.52 lakh households are already provided with tap connections.

Jal Jeevan Mission is a flagship programme launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi

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last year. It aims to provide tap water supply to all rural households by 2024.

22. Uttarakhand inaugurated state’s biggest biodiversity park in Haldwani On the occasion of World Environment Day, Uttarakhand forest department has opened the state’s biggest biodiversity park in Haldwani, to encourage conservation of flora, especially medicinal plants. Based on World Environment day theme ‘Celebrate Biodiversity’, park is divided into ten zones such as 25 species of aquatic plants, 50 species of cactus and 32 species of climbers.

The plant species in the biodiversity park is divided into spiritual & religious, scientific, human health, and aesthetic value sections.

23. Andhra Pradesh government launched ‘Jagananna Chedodu’ scheme Andhra Pradesh government launched 'Jagananna Chedodu'- a financial scheme. Under the scheme, beneficiaries of the patients who had lost their livelihood due to COVID-19 pandemic, will be provided with one-time financial assistance of Rs.10,000 each. The beneficiaries include tailors, barbers and washermen under 60 years of age.

Around 2.47 lakh beneficiaries have received Rs. 247 crores (Rs. 10,000 each) directly into their bank accounts. The banks are not allowed to deduct this amount towards EMI of previous loans of the beneficiaries, if any.

24. Himachal Pradesh launched “Panchvati Yojna” Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur launched “Panchvati Yojana” for the senior citizens of rural areas of the state. Under this scheme, parks and gardens would be developed in every development block with necessary facilities for senior citizens.

These parks and gardens would be developed on levelled land of minimum one bigha with convergence of MGNREGA, Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) and 14th Finance Commission to provide opportunity to the elderly people to spend their leisure time strolling in these parks and gardens and enhance the life expectancy.

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25. Jammu and Kashmir launched Poultry Policy 2020 The Government of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir launched J&K Poultry Policy, 2020/Operational Guidelines to promote establishment of poultry units in the region and announced a dedicated UT allocation of Rs. 50 crore as subsidy per annum for establishment of broiler/layer farms and other allied activities.

The Policy will create employment avenues for youth and shall be a big step for making the UT self-sufficient in poultry production besides supplementing income of farmers. It will curtail the annual import bill of approximately 900 crore spent on importing poultry.

26. Maharashtra launched new portal for job seekers Maharashtra Government has launched a new portal - Mahaswayam. It is expected to offer many job opportunities to the unemployed youth and work as an online employment exchange. It will also be useful to for those entrepreneurs who are in search of skilled workforce.

The portal - www.mahaswayam.gov.in, has information about vacant posts in government organizations as well as private sector. The job seekers will have to register themselves on the portal with their educational and professional qualification.

27. MCGM launched 'Air-Venti' App to provide information on ICU beds in Mumbai Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) has launched a mobile application “Air-Venti” to help residents in the city to know about the availability of the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) beds and Ventilators in both government and private hospitals.

The app has been developed by Octaware Technologies Limited, in partnership with Probity Soft Pvt Ltd. The app is connected to the dashboard of the city's disaster control

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room.

28. UP Government launched Bal Shramik Vidya Yojana Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath inaugurated ‘Bal Shramik Vidya Yojana’. As a part of the scheme, the government will pay Rs. 1,000 to sons and Rs. 1,200 to daughters of labourers every month to support their families and keep them away from child labour.

Children in the age group of 8-18 years will be eligible for the scheme and to encourage them to focus on studies. The government has also included another incentive of Rs. 6,000 yearly after the child completes each class – that is 8th, 9th and 10th.

29. Hyderabad City Security Council and Hyderabad City Police launched "STREE" programme Hyderabad City Security Council (HCSC) along with Hyderabad City Police has launched "STREE" programme. It is aimed to empower and support women victims of domestic violence and abuse. STREE stands for “She Triumphs through Respect, Equality, and Empowerment”.

The local police will engage women from different sections of the society & will set up a STREE group at the police station as part of the programme. A proactive woman will be selected as a volunteer from each group to form as SABALA Shakti.

30. Odisha became first state to get ISO Certification for Tribal Hostels Odisha has become the first state in the country to receive ISO certification for hostels meant for tribal students. In the first phase, 44 hostels of Keonjhar and Sambalpur districts have been accorded ISO 9001:2015 Certification.

The ST and SC Welfare Department of the state government had earlier launched the ‘Mission Suvidya’ project. It guarantees to provide all the tribal hostels with state

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uniform standards of infrastructure, amenities, and human resources.

31. MoS Home G Kishan Reddy launched 'GermiBAN' in Telangana Minister of State for Home Affairs G Kishan Reddy, launched ‘GermiBAN’ — a robot that carries essentials products to frontline COVID-19 workers. 'GermiBAN' kills surface and air microbes and could be used in isolation wards, quarantine centres, hospitals and public spaces.

The GermiBAN instrument was innovated by NEO Inventronix, Hyderabad in their lab & was incubated at Atal Incubation Centre (AIC) Association of Lady Entrepreneurs of India (ALEAP)-Women Entrepreneurs (WE) Hub with the support of Atal Innovation Mission (AIM).

32. UP becomes top state in country to provide employment to workers under MGNREGA Uttar Pradesh has become the top state in the country to provide employment to the workers under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, MGNREGA. UP provided employment to more than 57.13 lakh workers under MGNREGA.

Uttar Pradesh accounted for 18% of the total workers employed under the MGNREGA in the country and has generated 7.93 crore man- days. These 57.13 lakh workers are engaged across 56,981 panchayats out of the total 58,000 panchayats.

33. Three-day 'Raja Parba' celebrated in Odisha A three-day unique festival, Raja Parba, was celebrated in Odisha. The festival celebrates the onset of monsoon and the earth’s womanhood. As a mark of respect towards the earth during her menstruation days, all agricultural works, like ploughing, sowing are suspended for the three days.

Raja Sankranti is the first day of the Ashara month. It is celebrated on the day prior to the Sankranti, (Pahili Raja), the day of Sankranti, and the day after, known as Bhu

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Daha or ‘Basi Raja'. The fourth day is the day of the ‘purification bath’.

34. Rajasthan to launch Indira Rasoi Yojana The Rajasthan state government has announced to launch ‘Indira Rasoi Yojana’ to provide meals (twice a day) to the poor at a concessional rate. The State government will spend Rs. 100 crores every year on the scheme.

Former Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje had also launched the ‘Annapurna Rasoi Yojana’, a subsidised meal scheme offering breakfast and lunch for Rs. 5 and Rs. 8 respectively on the lines of Amma Canteens of Tamil Nadu.

35. Biogas plant inaugurated in Namakkal in Tamil Nadu Tamil nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami inaugurated a compressed biogas plant at Namakkal . The plant was established by IOC at a total cost of Rs. 25 Crore. The Chief Minister also commissioned CBG retail sales centre at five places including Namakkal, Salem, Puthuchathiram and Rasipuram.

The biogas plant has been producing 2.4mw biogas. However, it can make 15 tonnes of CBG per day and 20 tonnes of bio manure per day. Tamil Nadu stands first in renewable energy sources that includes hydro (2,322mw), wind (8,523mw), solar (4,054mw), biomass (266mw), co-generation (711mw).

36. Haryana Government inked agreement with Reliance JioTV Haryana state government inked agreement with Reliance JioTV, that is expected to benefit 5.2 million school children of both government and private schools under the Haryana School Education Board, the CBSE Board and other boards.

Under this initiative, students will be able to watch all four channels of Eduset through television, laptop, desktop, tablet and smartphone. This new MoU is done under the Chief Minister's Distance Education Programme, to expand education in rural areas.

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37. Tripura Government started ‘Play Little, Study Little’ scheme The state government of Tripura decided to start a scheme for school students named as 'Ektu Khelo, Ektu Padho' which means 'Play little, Study little'. Under this scheme, students would be getting audio and video contents on learning activities, projects alongwith fun, online classes through local TV channels and social media and gaming activities via SMS or WhatsApp services.

The scheme has been launched to let studies continue amidst the pandemic. The state has 4,398 government and its aided schools and 335 private schools.

38. PM launched 'Atma Nirbhar Uttar Pradesh Rojgar Yojana' for migrant workers Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Atma Nirbhar Uttar Pradesh Rojgar Yojana. The Atma Nirbhar Uttar Pradesh Rojgar Yojana is focused on generating employment for those migrant workers of the state who recently returned from other states.

Under the Atma Nirbhar Uttar Pradesh Rojgar Yojana, a Loan amount of more than 10,600 crores has been distributed to more than 4 Lakh units. The campaign is launched in 31 districts of the state. These districts have more than 25,000 returnee migrant workers.

39. Centre approved implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission of Rajasthan The Union Government has approved funds of over Rs. 2,522 Crore for implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission in Rajasthan in 2020- 21. Over 12 Lakh households have already been provided with tap connections in Rajasthan. In 2020-21, the State is planning to enable over 20 lakh households with tap water connections.

The Government’s flagship programme Jal Jeevan Mission aims to provide 55 litres of potable water per person per day to every rural household of the country by 2024.

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40. Serological survey to determine spread of coronavirus in Delhi The Delhi Government and the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) started a mammoth task of conducting a serological survey to comprehensively analyse the spread of COVID-19. Part of the revised Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), the survey has to be completed by July 10.

The serological test or ‘sero surveillance’, would help to identify those who have recovered from Covid-19 without being tested because they were asymptomatic, had mild disease, or could not get tested for some reason.

41. Nagaland notified implementation of PM-SVANidhi in State with immediate effect Nagaland Government has notified the implementation of the PM Street Vendor's Atma Nirbhar Nidhi (PM-SVANidhi) in the State with immediate effect and till March 2022. PM-SVANidhi is a Special Micro-Credit facility for Street Vendors.

The Street Vendors will be eligible to avail a collateral-free working capital loan of up to Rs 10,000 repayable in monthly instalments in the tenure of one year. On timely repayment of the loan an interest subsidy at the rate of 7% per annum will be credited to the Bank Accounts of beneficiaries through Direct Benefit on quarterly basis.

42. Tripura government announced ‘Ektu Khelo Ektu Padho’ activity based learning project Tripura has announced a special initiative for activity-based learning named ‘Ektu Khelo, Ektu Padho’. The activity is aimed to engage students during COVID-19 crisis. The project has started from June 25.

The activity contains dissemination of audio and video contents focused on hands-on learning activities and messages of simple projects, fun activities and games among the

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children through WhatsApp or SMS services. Instructions of the day’s lessons and exercises will reach students on their mobile phones every morning.

43. MPMKVVCL started Nishtha Vidyut Mitra Scheme for women empowerment The Madhya Kshetra Vidyut Vitaran Company Limited in Madhya Pradesh has started the Nishtha Vidyut Mitra Scheme for women empowerment. In this scheme, women Self- Help Groups at Gram Panchayat level will work as Nishtha Vidyut Mitra. This scheme will increase the revenue collection of the company as well as women will also earn extra.

Under the Nishtha Vidyut Mitra scheme, women Self-Help Groups will motivate consumers to pay bills online or through the UPAY App, redress of various complaints of consumers like faulty meters and provide new connections through online processes.

44. Himachal won e-Panchayat Puraskar 2020 The Himachal Pradesh panchayati raj department has won first prize under the e- Panchayat Puraskars-2020. The department was awarded for effective implementation of the e-application developed by the central government and other applications developed by the state government.

All 3,226 panchayats in the state have been provided with internet facility, with the help of which people can access various services online. Various services such as family register, registration of birth, death and marriages are registered online at panchayats.

45. Tripura launched “Mukhyamantri Matru Pushti Uphaar” scheme Tripura State government announced the launch of Mukhyamantri Matru Pushti Uphaar scheme. It aims to provide nutrition kits, each costing Rs. 500, to pregnant and lactating women. Each kit will have food items and grocery supplies, such as peanuts, soya beans, mixed pulses, jaggery, and ghee.

The government has budgeted Rs. 8 crore annually for the implementation of the scheme. MMPU Scheme will be in addition to the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY).

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46. Maharashtra launched Maha Parwana to boost investment The Maharashtra state government has introduced “Maha Parwana” plan to provide single permission to attract investors in the state. With this initiative, investors do not need to get multiple permissions and clearances, rather start instantly.

Industries ready to invest in the state will get a single ‘mega permission’ to start their operations. Once the industrial unit starts, it can obtain the rest of the permissions over a period of two years. The state government also has plans to create a labour bureau to deal with the shortage of workers.

47. Gujarat government launched ‘At One Click’ Initiative Gujarat government launched “At One Click” initiative for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). Under this initiative, Gujarat state will provide an online grant of Rs. 1,369 crore to MSMEs and textile industries. Out of total budget of 1,369 crores, 601 crores were provided to bigger industrial units and Rs. 768 crores were provided to 13,000 MSMEs.

“At One Click” initiative will help MSMEs to restart their business affected by Corona pandemic. Under Atmanirbhar scheme, government has disbursed Rs. 4,175 crores to 1.3 lakh units.

48. Karnataka amended its Industries (Facilitation) Act Karnataka amended ‘The Karnataka Industries (Facilitation) Act, 2002 for small, medium and large enterprises to facilitate and attract investment in the state. This will also promote Ease of Doing Business, simplify regulations and reduce procedural requirements.

The amendments are as follows:  An industry would not need any statutory permissions for the first three years.  It will ensure the investors are insulated by the delays.

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 It amended the Factories Act, under which all factories were exempted from provisions of daily and weekly stipulated hours.

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1. NSO launched annual report of Periodic Labour Force Supply National Statistical Office launched the Annual Report of Periodic Labour Force Survey conducted during July 2018 - June 2019 covering 1,01,579 households and surveying 4,20,757 persons.

The key findings are mentioned below:  India’s unemployment rate declined to 5.8% in 2018-19 (July-June) from 6.1% a year ago.  The labour force participation rate rose to 37.5%.  The unemployment rate for urban females remained higher than the all-India numbers.  Unemployment rate for males moderated to 6% and for females to 5.2%.  Unemployment rate for youth in the 15-29 years remained high at 17.3%.

2. India ranked 168th on Environmental Performance Index India ranked 168th out of 180 countries on Environmental Performance Index released by the Yale University. The report unveiled that India’s de-carbonisation agenda needs to accelerate, and the country faces a number of serious environmental health risks. India was ranked at 179th for air quality and at 148th for biodiversity and habitat of the 2020 EPI.

Denmark topped the index followed by Luxembourg, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, France, Austria, Finland, Sweden, Norway and Germany in the top 10 countries.

3. Global economy to shrink 5.2% in 2020-21 due to coronavirus pandemic The World Bank in its report ‘Global Economic Prospects 2020’ predicted the global economy to shrink by 5.2% in 2020-21, due to the massive shock of the coronavirus pandemic and the shutdown measures to contain it.

The highlights are as follows:  Economic activity among advanced economies is anticipated to shrink by 7%.  Per capita incomes are expected to decline by 3.6%, which will tip millions of people into extreme poverty.

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 Emerging Markets and Developing Economies are expected to shrink by 2.5%.  Decline in global per capita Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 6.2 %, making it the deepest global recession since 1945-46.

4. NIRF India Rankings 2020 According to the National Institutional Ranking Framework Rankings (NIRF) India Rankings 2020 of the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD), Indian Institute of Technology, Madras is the best higher education institution in the country. Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru was ranked second, while IIT Delhi was third.

The top three universities are IISc Bangalore, Jawaharlal Nehru University and Banaras Hindu University. The top three engineering colleges are IIT Madras, IIT Delhi and IIT Bombay. AIIMS Delhi was the top ranked medical college followed by PGI, Chandigarh and CMC, Vellore. IIM, Ahmedabad topped in Management Category.

5. Three DST institutes among top 30 Indian Institutions in Nature Index 2020 Three institutions of the Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India have found places in the Nature Index 2020. These are the Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science (IACS), Kolkata at 7th position, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), Bangalore at 14th position and S. N. Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences, Kolkata at 30th position.

Globally the top-rated Indian institutions in this list are Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), a group of 39 institutions at the 160th position and Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore at the 184th position.

6. QS World University Rankings 2021 released The Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) world university rankings 2021 released their Top 1000 list of institutes from all over the world. India’s eight institutes made up to top 500 of QS World University Ranking 2021.

The highlights are as follows:  Massachusetts Institute of Technology was named the world's best university.  National University of Singapore was named as Asia's top university.

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 Stanford University, Harvard University and California Institute of Technology were ranked as 2nd, 3rd and 4th place.  Britain’s University of Oxford was ranked fifth best university in world.

7. Mercer’s 2020 Cost of Living Survey Hong Kong topped the Mercer’s 2020 Cost of Living Survey 2020. Ashgabat, Turkmenistan was placed at second position. India’s Mumbai was ranked as 60th most expensive city for expatriates globally, while it ranks 19th in Asia. Tokyo and Zurich remain in third and fourth positions, respectively, whereas Singapore was in fifth place.

Mercer's widely recognised survey is one of the world’s most comprehensive, and is designed to help multinational companies and governments determine compensation strategies for their expatriate employees. The survey includes over 400 cities.

8. India 9th largest recipient of FDI in 2019 According to the World Investment Report 2020 prepared by the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), India received $51 billion in foreign investment in 2019. India was the world’s 9th largest recipient of foreign direct investments (FDI) in 2019.

FDI to India, the largest South Asian recipient, increased 20% from the $42 billion of FDI received in 2018. In the “developing Asia” region, India was among the top five host economies for FDI.

9. Two Indian firms in WEF’s 2020 Technology Pioneers The World Economic Forum announced its 20th cohort of Technology Pioneers as it unveiled 100 new tech firms awardees in carbon capture, alternative meat and circular economies, while others aim to address food security, financial access and more. It includes two Indian firms named as ZestMoney and Stellapps.

India’s ZestMoney is using its technology to transform the financial services industry, offering affordable credit to those who are unable to access this through traditional finance paths. Stellapps, India is data-led, internet of things-based, farm-to-consumer dairy supply chain digitisation.

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10. India released National Report on the state of Climate Crisis For the first time, India released its own national report on the state of the climate crisis. It is titled as “Assessment of Climate change over the Indian Region”. The report compiled by Ministry of Earth Sciences, analyses, where India stands regarding long- term changes in climate patterns, and their attendant risks.

The major findings of the report unveils India's average temperature that has increased by 0.7 degrees Celsius from 1901 to 2018, and that this is purely due to the emission of greenhouse gases (GHG).

11. Institute for Management Development released World Competitive Index The Institute of Management Development released the World Competitive Index 2020. India retained its rank on 43rd place due to poor infrastructure and insufficient education investment. India showed improvement on long-term employment growth, current account balance, high-tech exports and foreign currency reserves.

On a 63 nation list, Singapore topped the rankings followed by Denmark and Switzerland at second and third place respectively. Other countries that remained in top ten list were Netherlands, Hong Kong, Norway, Sweden, U.S.A. and Canada.

12. SIPRI Yearbook released on ‘Nuclear Weapons of India and China’ The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) launched the findings of SIPRI Yearbook 2020, which assesses the current state of armaments, disarmament and international security. A key finding is that despite an overall decrease in the number of nuclear warheads in 2019, all nuclear weapon-possessing states continue to modernise their nuclear arsenals.

The 51st edition of the SIPRI Yearbook reveals a continuing deterioration in the conditions for international stability and insight on developments in conventional arms control in 2019. The SIPRI Yearbook is a compendium of cutting-edge information and analysis on developments in armaments, disarmament and international security.

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13. India slipped to 77th rank in terms of foreign funds with Swiss banks According to the latest Swiss National Bank data, India has moved down three places to 77th rank in terms of money parked by its citizens and enterprises with Swiss banks at the end of 2019. Funds parked by Indian individuals and enterprises in Swiss banks fell by 5.8% in 2019 to Rs. 6,625 crore.

Indians accounted for just 0.06% of the aggregate funds parked by all foreign clients of Switzerland-based banks. UK has retained its top position. US, West Indies, France and Hong Kong complete the top five.

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Resignations & RetirementsCurrent Affairs –June 2020

1. Kushal Pal Singh retired as Chairman of DLF Kushal Pal Singh stepped down as the Chairman of property firm Delhi Land & Finance Limited (DLF). He will be replaced by his son Rajiv Singh, currently serving as vice chairman of the firm. DLF ((Delhi Land & Finance) Limited is Gurgaon based commercial real estate company in India for six decades.

Singh took over as chairman in 1995 and under his leadership, DLF expanded beyond Gurugram, building apartments, shopping malls, and hotels. He raised Rs. 9,188 crore through the sale of 175 million shares during IPO of DLF.

2. Gomathi Marimuthu banned for four-years from AIU Gomathi Marimuthu, the 2019 Asian championship 800m gold medallist was found positive for anabolic steroid nandrolone 'B' sample and therefore, she was banned for four years by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU). She was stripped of her medal and her all competition results between March 18 and May 17, 2019, stand invalid.

Gomathi Marimuthu is an Indian Track and field middle distance runner who won the gold medal in the women's 800 m at the 2019 Asian Athletics Championships held in Doha, Qatar.

3. Ukranian boxer Oleksandr Gvozdyk retired from sport Oleksandr Gvozdyk, the former world light heavyweight boxing champion from Ukraine announced retirement from boxing. He won the WBC title in December 2018, bronze medal at the 2012 Olympics and a gold at the 2013 Summer Universiade.

Gvozdyk is popularly known as "The Nail". His win ratio stands at 82.4%. He is part of the Ukrainian golden generation of boxing. He was honored with ‘Boxing Writers Association of America’s “2017 Fighter of the Year”.

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4. Kyrgyz Prime Minister Mukhammedkalyi Abylgaziev resigned Kyrgyz Prime Minister Mukhammedkalyi Abylgaziev has resigned to avoid hindering the progress of a criminal investigation into radio frequencies. Abylgaziev denied any involvement in the case. He was appointed as prime minister by President Sooronbai Jeenbekov in April 2018.

President of Kyrgyzstan Sooronbay Jeenbekov signed a decree accepting the resignation of Prime Minister Mukhammedkalyi Abylgaziev. With this, the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic is also considered to have resigned.

5. WWE legend The Undertaker announced retirement Wrestling legend The Undertaker has announced his retirement from WWE after a career spanning three decades. The Undertaker, whose real name is Mark Calaway, announced his retirement during the last episode of the legendary wrestler's docuseries 'Undertaker: The Final Ride'.

The Undertaker was also known as the 'Deadman' and had 17 WWE Championship titles. The UnderTaker held a 21-year winning streak at WrestleMania and also won the World Heavyweight Championship thrice.

6. New Zealand's Rachel Priest announced retirement from international cricket New Zealand wicket-keeper batter Rachel Priest has announced her retirement from international cricket. She repesented her country in 87 ODIs and 75 T20Is, scoring 2,567 runs, including 2 hundreds and 10 fifties. As a keeper, she finished with 165 dismissals to her name.

Priest has now signed up a contract with Cricket Tasmania to play in Australia Women's National Cricket League. She will play for the Tasmanian Tigers for the 2020/21 season.

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Science & TechnologyCurrent Affairs –June 2020

1. SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft docks at ISS after historic launch SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft with two NASA astronauts, Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley, successfully docked with the International Space Station after a historic launch from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. It has marked the dawn of a new age in commercial space travel.

With this, SpaceX became the first private company to launch people into the orbit, a feat achieved previously by only three governments: the US, Russia and China.

2. ATLAS telescope discovers first-of-its-kind asteroid The University of Hawaii Asteroid Terrestrial- impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) has discovered the first known Jupiter Trojan asteroid to have sprouted a comet-like tail. ATLAS is a NASA-funded project using wide- field telescopes to rapidly scan the sky for asteroids that might pose an impact threat to Earth.

The newly discovered asteroid named 2019 LD2 has an orbit like an asteroid but the tail of a comet. It shares Jupiter’s orbit in an asteroid swarm known as the Jupiter Trojans.

3. Astronomers confirm the Earth-sized planet at Proxima Centauri An international team of scientists including researchers from the University of Geneva (UNIGE) have confirmed the existence of a planet similar in size to Earth orbiting the nearest star to the sun, Proxima Centauri. The ESPRESSO spectrograph on the Very Large Telescope (VLT) in Chile has provided the confirmation. The new planet is called Proxima Centauri b.

As per the findings, Proxima b is 1.17 times the mass of Earth, smaller than the older estimate of 1.3 times. It orbits its star in just 11.2 days.

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4. Birth of New Planets witnessed first time in human history The SPHERE instrument of the Very Large Telescope has captured the birth of new planet in the AB Aurigae star system recently. This is the first time in human history the birth of a star was witnessed.

The birth of the new star was depicted by the European Southern Observatory. The image depicts orange mass of gas. The mass showing the cosmic matter of the universe at gravitational tipping point is exactly the sign for a star system to be born. The spiral formation confirms the presence of a baby planet.

5. NCL Pune developed indigenous nasopharyngeal swab for collecting samples The National Chemical Laboratory (NCL), Pune successfully developed an indigenous nasopharyngeal (NP) swab for collecting samples from the throat cavity of patients affected with Corona Virus which causes the Covid-19. A team of three scientists, Chandrashekhar V Rode, Dr Prakash P Wadgaonkar and Dr Anuya A Nisal worked on the specifications of nasopharyngeal swab polymers and adhesives.

The nasopharyngeal swab is a medical device with stringent specifications of quality, polymer grade, dimensions and sterilisation. It consists of a cylindrical plastic stick with a brush-like tip of synthetic bristles/flocks. The NCL is a lab under the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research.

6. CeNS developed low-cost catalyst for hydrogen generation from water Scientists from The Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences (CeNS), an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), have found out a low cost and efficient way to generate hydrogen from water using Molybdenum dioxide as a catalyst.

Hydrogen is considered as the future of clean and sustainable energy as it can be generated from water and produces water on energy generation without any carbon footprint. Hydrogen can be directly used as a fuel similar to natural gas or as input for fuel cells to generate electricity.

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7. Astronomer unveiled magnetic field of Solar Corona A new study by IFA graduate student Benjamin Boe unveiled the magnetic field of the solar corona. The magnetic field is produced in the interior and extends outward. The corona is most easily seen during a total solar eclipse, when the moon is directly between the Earth and the sun, blocking the bright surface of the sun. When the blinding brilliance of the Sun is obscured, corona comes into view.

The magnetic field lines of solar corona were recorded for over 14 eclipses that occurred in two decades. The study has found that the coronal magnetic field is non-radial to at least four solar radii.

8. IIT, Hyderabad researchers developed Artificial Intelligence-based test kit for COVID-19 Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology-Hyderabad developed a low cost and Artificial Intelligence-based test kit for COVID-19. These kits can give results in about 20 minutes. The test kits are Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT- PCR)-free and get rid of many processes.

The cost of COVID testing with these IIT-H Bio-Chips will be around 600 rupees and can be almost halved in case of mass production of the chips. These kits can be transported to rural areas as they are very light and helpful to increase the testing for COVID-19 in the country.

9. ARCI & Mekins developed UVC-based multipurpose disinfection cabinet International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy and New Materials (ARCI) and MEKINS Industries have co-developed a UVC-based Cabinet for disinfecting non- critical hospital items, laboratory wear, and PPEs in the research laboratories to prevent surface contamination of COVID 19. It can also be used to disinfect items exhibited to customers in commercial establishments and several domestic items.

A compact UVC disinfection cabinet consists of four UVC lamps of 30W (on sides) and two lamps of 15 W (top and bottom). The irradiance intensity is measured at various points within the box to assure sufficient radiation to disinfect all the placed articles within 10 minutes.

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10. ARCI developed rare earth based magneto-caloric material for cancer treatment Scientists at the International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy and New Materials (ARCI) developed a rare-earth- based magneto-caloric material that can be effectively used for cancer treatment. The magneto-caloric materials are certain materials in which application and removal of a magnetic field causes the materials to become warmer or cooler. These magneto- caloric materials can provide controlled heating to kill the tumor cells is between 40 and 45°C.

The advantage of magneto-caloric materials which heat up or cool down with the application and removal of the magnetic field, respectively is that as soon as the magnetic field is removed, cooling effect is generated.

11. ISRO signed MoU with ARIES Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Bengaluru signed MoU with Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES), Nainital for co-operation in the field of Space Situational Awareness (SSA) and Astrophysics. This MoU will pave the way for future collaborations between ISRO and ARIES in establishing optical telescope observational facilities for space object tracking, R&D studies in space weather, astrophysics and Near Earth Object (NEO).

Space objects orbital tracking, analysis and space weather studies are important aspects in Space Situational Awareness & Management to safe guard Indian space assets from critical conjunction threats from space debris.

12. CSIR-CDRI candidate drug Umifenovir secures DCGI approval for phase III clinical trial against COVID-19 CSIR constituent lab CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute (CDRI) Lucknow, has received permission for carrying out Phase III randomised, Double blind, Placebo controlled trial of efficacy, safety and tolerability of antiviral drug Umifenovir. This drug has a good safety profile and acts by preventing entry of virus into human cells and also by priming the immune system.

Umifenovir is used to treat influenza. CSIR- CDRI has licensed the economical process

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technology for manufacturing and marketing the drug to M/s. Medizest Pharmaceuticals Private Ltd. Goa, who have already received test license from DCGI.

13. Fifth State of Matter observed by NASA scientists NASA scientists observed the fifth state of matter ‘Bose-Einstein Quantum’ in space for the first time. Bose-Einstein condensates (BECs) - the existence was predicted by Albert Einstein and Indian mathematician Satyendra Nath Bose almost a century ago. They are formed when atoms of certain elements are cooled to near absolute zero (0 Kelvin, minus 273.15 Celsius).

Scientists reported that BECs research will help in mysterious phenomena such as dark energy, gravitational waves to spacecraft navigation and prospecting for subsurface minerals on the moon and other planetary bodies.

14. ISRO gets Indian patent for liquid cooling and heating garment The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has got an Indian patent for its liquid cooling and heating garment (LCHG) that is suitable for space applications. The patent is valid for 20 years from the date of application, which is February 8, 2016. The liquid cooling and heating garment is a protective garment for human space flight.

The LCHG is a close-fitting long garment which covers the wearer's torso as well as limbs, from neck to toe. The four inventors of LCHG are Srirangam Siripothu, Reshmi Balachandran, Saraswathi Kesava Pillai Manu, and Gurumurthy Chandrasekaran.

15. IIT-Bombay developed chip Dhruva IIT-Bombay has developed a receiver chip - Dhruva. It can be used in smartphones and navigation devices to find locations and routes within the country. Dhruva will receive signals from India’s NAVIC group of navigation satellites as well as the US Global Positioning System-based satellites to determine these accurately under all weather conditions.

The Dhruva project was funded by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), with SAMEER (Society for Applied Microwave Electronics Engineering and Research) as the nodal agency.

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16. Indigenously developed ULV Sprayer successfully completed trials for locust control Department of Agriculture under Make in India initiative announced launch of indigenously developed a vehicle mounted ULV sprayer for locust control. The trials of the sprayer have been successfully conducted in Ajmer and Bikaner district of Rajasthan.

This is a major breakthrough to end the dependence of importing spray of locust control. Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations has appreciated that India is the first country in the world which is controlling Desert Locust through Drones.

17. Last Satellite of China’s BeiDou Satellite System 3 (BDS-3) launched China successfully launched the final member in its Beidou satellite. It is 35th and the final satellite of BDS-3. The first BDS-3 satellite was launched in 2015. BeiDou Navigation Satellite System consists of two separate satellite constellations.

The final BDS satellite weighing about 10,000 pounds, is the largest of its kind and is filled with propellants for maneuvers in orbit. The spacecraft is designed to work in orbit for at least 12 years. The satellite was carried by a Long March-3B carrier rocket.

18. Hetero’s injectable ‘Covifor’ received DCGI approval for COVID-19 Treatment Hetero's antiviral drug Covifor received DCGI approval to treat Covid-19 patients. It is named as COVIFOR (Remdesivir). Covifor will be made available in 100 mg vial (injectable) which has to be administered intravenously in a hospital setting under the supervision of a healthcare practitioner.

Covifor will be formed under a licensing agreement with Gilead Sciences Inc to expand access to Covid-19 treatment. Remdesivir is permitted for treatment of suspected or laboratory-confirmed cases of Covid-19 in adults and children with severe symptoms.

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19. CSIO developed precision safety eyewear for healthcare professionals treating COVID-19 patients Central Scientific Instruments Organisation (CSIO) has developed a technology for precision manufacturing of Safety Goggles for healthcare professionals involved in treating high viral load patients as in the case of COVID-19 pandemic. The technology was transferred to Sark Industries, Chandigarh for its commercialisation and mass production.

The developed protective eyewear is ergonomically designed to provide full cover and efficient sealing to the eye area and would protect the healthcare professionals from hazardous aerosols as well as other suspended particles. It consists of a sturdy polycarbonate lens and adjustable elastic strap for ease of wearing.

20. Russia’s Energia planned to take first tourist on space walk in 2023 Energia Space Corporation of Russia announced to take the first tourist on a space walk in 2023, under the terms of a new contract with a US partner. Under this new contract, NASA signed a deal with US Virgin Galactic space tourism company to promote private missions to the station post a special training program in the US.

This first tourist will become the first private citizen in history to experience open space. Roscosmos’ space tourism will launch citizens into space.

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Sports Current Affairs –June 2020

1. IOC appointed Batra as member of Olympic Channel Commission The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has appointed Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President Narinder Batra as a member of the Olympic Channel Commission. The Olympic Channel Commission advises the IOC Session, the IOC Executive Board and the IOC president and provides guidance throughout the launch and operation of the Olympic Channel.

Batra had earlier served as the president of Hockey India (2014-2016) and Asian Hockey Federation (2003-2013). He was also the treasurer of Delhi & District Cricket Association between 2003 to 2013.

2. Virat Kohli only cricketer in Forbes’ 2020 list of world's highest paid athletes Virat Kohli is the only cricketer to feature in Forbes' list of the top 100 highest paid athletes in the world for the year 2020. Kohli is ranked at number 66 with estimated earnings of $26 million, as he made a jump of over 30 places from 2019.

Roger Federer with an estimated $106.3 million of earnings, topped the chart followed by Portuguese football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo with estimated earnings of $105 million and Argentine great Lionel Messi with an estimated $104 million. Brazil’s Neymar comes fourth with $95.5 million.

3. Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju inaugurated Khelo India e-Pathshala Programme Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju inaugurated Khelo India e-Pathshala programme. The e- pathshala aims to provide online coaching and education to athletes living in far-off areas. The progamme was launched by the Sports Authority of India (SAI), in association with National Sporting Federations (NSFs).

The e-learning programme will cover 21 sporting disciplines, including, athletics, archery, boxing, cycling, fencing, football, gymnastics, hockey, judo, kayaking & canoeing, kabaddi, para games, rowing, shooting, taekwondo, table tennis, volleyball, weightlifting, wrestling and wushu.

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4. Hockey India recommended women's team captain Rani Rampal for Khel Ratna award Hockey India nominated national women’s team captain Rani Rampal for the prestigious Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award. Vandana Kataria, Monika and Harmanpreet Singh were recommended for the Arjuna Award.

Hockey India recommended R P Singh and Tushar Khandker for the Major Dhyan Chand Award for Lifetime Achievement. Coaches B J Kariappa and Romesh Pathania have been nominated for the Dronacharya Award. Rani has led the team to historic victories in the Women’s Asia Cup in 2017, silver at the 2018 Asian Games and played a critical role in the FIH Olympic Qualifiers in 2019.

5. BCCI nominated Rohit Sharma for Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has nominated India vice-captain Rohit Sharma for the prestigious Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award 2020. The board has also nominated Ishant Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan and Deepti Sharma for the Arjuna Award.

Rohit was named ICC ODI Cricketer of the Year for 2019. He became the first player in the history of the game to score five ODI centuries in one edition of the World Cup. He is also the first batsman to score four T20I centuries.

6. India bagged right to host Women's Asian Cup 2022 The Asian Football Confederation awarded the hosting rights of Women's Asian Cup 2022 to India. This is the first time that India will be hosting the event since 1979, in which India had finished as the runner-ups. The tournament will feature 12 teams. India will qualify directly as hosts.

India are slated to host the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup next year. India had also hosted the AFC U-16 Championships in 2016 and the FIFA U-17 World Cup in 2017.

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7. ICC approved replacements in test cricket and banned use of saliva to shine ball The International Cricket Council (ICC) has approved substitution in case a player shows symptoms of COVID-19 during a Test match. ICC has also put ban on using saliva to shine the cricket ball. ICC has also re-introduced non-neutral umpires for bilateral series as part of its interim playing regulations to tackle the threat posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The teams will also be allowed an additional DRS call as home umpires will now be officiating in bilateral Test series. However, the regulation for COVID-19 replacements will not be applicable in ODIs and T20Is, it added.

8. K Sanjita Chanu cleared from IWF’s anti-doping violation charges India’s K SanjitaChanu received clearance from International Weightlifting Federation’s anti-doping violation charges. She was found positive for testosterone, a banned anabolic steroid, in an out-of-competition test conducted by us Anti Doping Agency before participating within the 2017 world championships in Las Vegas.

K SanjitaChanu is an Indian weightlifter and two time Commonwealth Games Champion. She won the gold medals at the 2014 Glasgow and the 2018 Gold Coast events in the women's 48 kg and 53 kg weight category respectively.

9. Sports ministry to establish 1,000 district-level Khelo India centres The government has decided to establish 1,000 Khelo India Centers (KIC) across the country. These centers will either be run by a past champion or have them as coaches. It is aimed to strengthen grassroot level sports and also ensure that past champions can contribute in making India a sporting superpower while earning a livelihood from sports.

During the current Financial Year, 100 KICs are planned to be established. Existing SAI extension centres will be given the option of converting into a KIC. Training will be imparted at the KIC in 14 Identified Sports for Excellence in Olympics (ISEO).

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10. Sports Ministry to establish Khelo India State Centres of Excellence (KISCE) The Sports Ministry will establish Khelo India State Centres of Excellence (KISCE) under the ministry’s flagship, Khelo India Scheme. One KISCE will be identified in each state and union territory. In the first batch, the following sporting facilities will be upgraded to Khelo India State Centre of Excellence:

 Sangey Lhaden Sports Academy, Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh.  Jaiprakash Narayan National Youth Center, Bangalore, Karanataka.  GV Raja Sr. Secondary Sports School, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.  Khuman Lampak Sports Complex, Imphal, Manipur.  Rajiv Gandhi Stadium, Aizawl, Mizoram.  State Sports Academy, IG Stadium, Kohima, Nagaland.  Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneshwar, Odisha.  Regional Sports School, Hakimpet, Telangana.

11. India retained 108th slot in latest FIFA ranking Indian football team retained 108th spot in the latest FIFA rankings. Belgium topped the FIFA rankings followed by France at second place and Brazil at third spot followed by England at fourth position. Uruguay is ranked 5th in the chart. Croatia, Portugal, Spain, Argentina and Colombia complete the top ten respectively.

In the women’s rankings, USA is the top ranked team followed by Germany, France, Netherlands and Sweden in the top-five. The Indian women’s team is ranked 55th in the list.

12. Mamedyarov won World Stars Sharjah Chess Championship Shakhriyar Mamedyarov of Azerbaijan won the World Stars Sharjah Online Chess Championship 2020 with 7.5 points. It is a double round-robin tournament with 10 min +3 sec time control organised by the Sharjah Cultural & Chess Club. Pentala Harikrishna of India finished second with 6.5 out of 10.

Radoslaw Wojtaszek of Poland finished in third place with 6 points while Rustam Kasimdzanov of Uzbekistan was fourth. The championship carried a total prize purse of $10,000.

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13. Bahrain to host fourth Asian Youth Para Games 2021 Asian Paralympic Committee announced Bahrain to host the fourth Asian Youth Para Games on December 1-10, 2021. The Asian Para Games is a multi-sport event regulated by the Asian Paralympic Committee that is held every four years after every Asian Games for athletes with physical disabilities.

The Games are recognised by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and are described as the second largest multi-sport event. Around 800 athletes will participate in nine different sports.

14. National champion Niki Poonacha elected to ITF panel Reigning national champion Niki Poonacha has been elected to the International Tennis Federation (ITF) men’s player panel and will represent the Asia-Oceania zone along with Ti Chen of Chinese Taipei. Aldin Setkic and Francesco Vilardo were elected from Europe, while Juan Pablo Paz and Jose Bendeck were elected to represent South America.

The ITF also has a women’s player panel with Akgul Amanmuradova of Uzbekistan from Asia. The men’s and women’s panels will be headed by Mark Woodforde and Mary Pierce, respectively.

15. Wasim Jaffer appointed as head Coach of Uttarakhand cricket team Former India opener and domestic stalwart Wasim Jaffer has been appointed head coach of the Uttarakhand cricket team for the upcoming domestic season. Jaffer was appointed for a year. He is the highest run- getter in Ranji Trophy.

Jaffer had announced retirement in March 2020 after playing for over two decades. This will be his first stint as a head coach with any team. Uttarakhand had reached the quarterfinals in their debut Ranji Trophy season in 2018-19.

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16. Liverpool won the English Premier League 2020 Liverpool won the Premier League 2020 title with a record seven games left to play. Liverpool have won 28 of their last 31 games this season. It was the 19th league title for the club. However, it was their first title in last 30 years.

Manager Jurgen Klopp became the first German manager to win the Premier League. Liverpool had last year won the Champions League and Club World Cup. Klopp had earlier won two league titles as manager in Germany with Borussia Dortmund.

17. Clare Connor set to become first female MCC President Former England captain Clare Connor is set to become the first-ever female President of the Marylebone Cricket Club in its 233-year history. Connor will replace present MCC president, Kumar Sangakkara, on 1 October 2021.

Clare Connor featured in 111 internationals, scoring 1,604 runs and taking 104 wickets across formats. She was named the captain of her side in 2000 and held the position until her retirement from international cricket in 2006.

18. Australia and New Zealand named as co-hosts of FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 Australia and New Zealand were handed over the rights to co-host FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023. The field has been increased to 32 teams from 24 teams in 2023 World Cup.

Women's World Cup will be the first in the Southern Hemisphere, and the first to feature in the Oceania Football Confederation. It will also be the first edition to feature 32 teams, up from 16 teams as recently as 2011.

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19. Rahul Dravid voted India's greatest Test batsman Rahul Dravid was voted India's greatest Test batsman in the last 50 years, beating Sachin Tendulkar in the final in a poll conducted by Wisden India. Dravid ended with 52 per cent of the total votes – as many as 11,400 fans took part in the poll for the final.

Wisden India’s poll initially pit 16 Indian batting legends against each other, with that being whittled down to four in the semi-final stage, where Dravid saw off Sunil Gavaskar and Tendulkar comfortably beat his successor in India’s Test No.4 slot Virat Kohli.

20. K. Sanjita Chanu to receive Arjuna Award Two-time Commonwealth Games gold medal winning weightlifter K. Sanjita Chanu will receive Arjuna award for 2018. She was winner of gold medals in the 2014 Glasgow and the 2018 Gold Coast events in the 48kg and 53kg categories respectively.

K. Sanjita Chanu holds the Commonwealth Games record of 84 kg for the Snatch segment in the latter weight category. She was recently cleared of all the doping charges by the international federation. The Arjuna Awards are given by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports to recognise outstanding achievement in sports.

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